Error at Ohio casino game gives players the edge

COLUMBUS (AP) — Incorrect rules at a popular poker table game led to a windfall for players before the Columbus casino detected the error and shut it down.

The Hollywood Casino Columbus declined to say how long the Crazy 4 Poker was operating with incorrect rules or when it was shut down. But The Columbus Dispatch reported today that the advantage led to people standing in line to play the game and even paying others to give up their seats at the table.

One player said it was “like a free holiday” for poker players.

The problem was with the game’s “super bonus bet” requirement. Players are required to put down a “super bonus bet” that is equal to their ante. The table wasn’t requiring that bet, tipping the odds in favor of the players.

In Crazy 4 Poker, players get five cards and pick four of them to create the best possible hand.

The table was shut down, but reopened last week with the correct rules in place, turning the odds back in favor of the house.

“There was an issue with the rules, so the game was withdrawn temporarily and resubmitted” to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for approval, casino spokesman Bob Tenenbaum told the newspaper.