4 Cards of a Straight Flush, or 3 Cards of a Royal?

Proper strategy says that you should hold four cards of an Inside Straight Flush rather than hold just three cards of a royal flush. But when I told a friend of mine about this play is vehemently disagreed with holding the four cards of the Inside Straight Flush.

His argument had several points, which I will try to remember here:

1. It isn't very often you get 3 cards to a royal.

2. With three cards to a royal you still have plenty of chances for a high pair to get your money back, or to get a straight or a flush or two pair or even 3 of a kind.

3. But with four cards to an inside straight flush in a hand with three cards to a royal, too much is riding on just one single card and do you want so much riding on one single card and let a chance for a royal pass you by?

The photo of the hand in question is below: four cards to an inside straight flush with three royal cards. What would you do, and why?

I always go for the 3 to a Royal, as you have 17 chances to make a hand. Another hand that I hold is the A and 10 suited. I feel you can hit quad 10's(I actually have), four A's (which I've also done) and STILL hit the Royal. Apparently this is also a questionable hold.

So you would vote hold 3 royal cards? Exactly what my friend argued for.

Absolutely. I think it's even the right decision with win goals involved.

Here's one you'll love slingshot and Rob Singer: Playing 8/5 aces and faces I was dealt 3 3 A and two other cards which were not significant. I held the pair of 3s which is the correct strategy. On the draw came AAA.

I added that to my list of other "darned if I had only held...."

For example, the time I had 10d Jd Js and two insignificant cards playing double double bonus. I held the jacks and the three royal cards came on the draw.
Then there was the time I had a suited Ace Ten in double double bonus but only held the ace and the three royal cards came on the draw.
And then there was the time I had 10h Qh Js and two insignificant cards, and held the QJ and the three royal hearts came on the draw.
And then the time playing Royal Aces Bonus (just a few weeks ago) when I was dealt Ah Qh and three blanks and following correct strategy I held only the ace and the toher three royal hearts came on the draw.

As you can see from my videos and photos I have not pulled my hair out over these.

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

Here's one you'll love slingshot and Rob Singer: Playing 8/5 aces and faces I was dealt 3 3 A and two other cards which were not significant. I held the pair of 3s which is the correct strategy. On the draw came AAA.

I added that to my list of other "darned if I had only held...."

For example, the time I had 10d Jd Js and two insignificant cards playing double double bonus. I held the jacks and the three royal cards came on the draw.
Then there was the time I had a suited Ace Ten in double double bonus but only held the ace and the three royal cards came on the draw.
And then there was the time I had 10h Qh Js and two insignificant cards, and held the QJ and the three royal hearts came on the draw.
And then the time playing Royal Aces Bonus (just a few weeks ago) when I was dealt Ah Qh and three blanks and following correct strategy I held only the ace and the toher three royal hearts came on the draw.

As you can see from my videos and photos I have not pulled my hair out over these.

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Yeah-that's why I hold them. The only thing is that I've had Royals on all but the A-10 suited. Came close once, but never the Royal.

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

1. It isn't very often you get 3 cards to a royal.

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Actually, it happens quite often.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

2. With three cards to a royal you still have plenty of chances for a high pair to get your money back, or to get a straight or a flush or two pair or even 3 of a kind.

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Same for the 4 card SF except you have a much better chance for a straight or a flush.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

3. But with four cards to an inside straight flush in a hand with three cards to a royal, too much is riding on just one single card and do you want so much riding on one single card and let a chance for a royal pass you by?

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The chance for the SF is 1:47 while the chance for the RF is only 1:1081. The idea that too much is riding on a single card is just plain silly. You also have chances for all the results mentioned in 2) plus the SF. In addition, by throwing away the 4th card you reduce the chances for a flush and eliminate any chance of a SF.

Arci--what about games where the SF pays 700 or 500 (hard to find anymore but super dub varieies still out there)?

Any change in thoughts then?

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Originally Posted by regnis

Arci--what about games where the SF pays 700 or 500 (hard to find anymore but super dub varieies still out there)?

Any change in thoughts then?

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I don't understand the question. If the proper strategy is to go for the SF when the pay is 250 coins, why would it change when the pay for the SF is more? There are several games in casinos now where a SF pays 500 coins.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I don't understand the question. If the proper strategy is to go for the SF when the pay is 250 coins, why would it change when the pay for the SF is more? There are several games in casinos now where a SF pays 500 coins.

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Exactly......