Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-903 · Updated 28 September 2026

Related game · Not poker

Four of a Kind Rules

In Four of a Kind, each player starts with one face-up card of a different rank. The dealer then turns cards from the deck one at a time, and any card that matches a player's rank goes to that player, followed by a betting round. The first player to complete four of a kind and the player with the fewest cards split the pot.

Players: 4 or more (6 to 8 best)
Deck: Standard 52 cards, ace high
Type: Betting game, all cards face up
Raises: At most 3 per round
Pot: High-low split

Article 1Origin, players and objective

1.1

Four of a Kind was introduced by William Moore of New York at a family poker night around 1957 or 1958, as published on pagat.com. It uses poker-style betting but no poker hands are made.

1.2

Four or more players may take part; six to eight is best. A standard 52-card deck is used with no jokers. Aces rank highest, above kings; suits have no rank.

1.3

The object is either to be the first to collect all four cards of one rank (the high hand), or to be the active player with the fewest cards when someone else does (the low hand).

Article 2Antes and the deal

2.1

Every player puts an agreed ante into the pot.

2.2

The dealer deals one card face up to each player. Every player's card shall be of a different rank.

2.3

If two or more players receive cards of the same rank, the duplicated cards are shuffled back into the undealt deck and new cards are dealt to those players, repeating until all players hold different ranks.

Article 3Play and betting

3.1

The player with the highest card starts the first betting round and may check or bet. Each later player may check, bet, call, raise or fold, as in poker.

3.2

No more than three raises are allowed in any betting round. After the third raise, players may only call or fold.

3.3

After the betting, the dealer turns up cards from the deck one at a time:

3.3(a) a card that matches the rank held by an active player is given to that player;

3.3(b) a card that matches no active player's rank is discarded.

3.4

Each time a player receives a matching card, a new betting round takes place, started by the player with the highest hand. The source does not define the highest hand; the usual reading is the hand with the most cards, and between hands with the same number of cards, the higher rank.

3.5

A player who folds takes no further cards, and a card matching a folded player's rank is discarded.

Article 4End of the game and splitting the pot

4.1

Play ends as soon as a player collects the fourth card of their rank.

4.2

The pot is divided equally between:

4.2(a) the high hand, the player holding four of a kind; and

4.2(b) the low hand, the active player holding the fewest cards.

4.3

If two or more active players tie for fewest cards, the one whose cards are of the lowest rank takes the low half.

4.4

If the pot cannot be divided equally, the odd amount goes to the high hand.

Example

Settling the pot

Four players remain. A holds 7♠, B holds Q♦Q♥, C holds 3♣ and D holds 9♥9♠9♦. The pot is 60.

The dealer turns 9♣, which goes to D and completes four nines. Play ends.

D takes the high half, 30. A and C tie for fewest cards with one each; C's three is lower than A's seven, so C takes the low half, 30.

Article 5Strategy notes

Every card is face up, so each player's chances can be read from the table: count how many cards of your rank are still unseen.
A player with one low card has a real chance at the low half without improving at all, as long as others collect cards.
Once a player has three of a kind, only one card can end the game, and it may be many cards away.

For other betting games played at poker nights, see In Between and Seven Twenty-Seven.

Article 6Frequently asked questions

Who wins in the card game Four of a Kind?

The pot is split between the first player to collect all four cards of their rank and the active player with the fewest cards. A tie for fewest cards goes to the lowest rank.

How many raises are allowed in Four of a Kind?

No more than three in each betting round. After the third raise, players may only call or fold.

Who invented Four of a Kind?

William Moore of New York introduced it at a family poker night in the late 1950s, as recorded on pagat.com.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of this document, Rob is right.

Hand rankings, high to low: royal flush · straight flush · four of a kind · full house · flush · straight · three of a kind · two pair · one pair · high card. Suits never break ties.

Four of a Kind Rules · OPR-903 · officialpokerrules.com/four-of-a-kind/

OPR-903Uncontrolled when printed