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Thread: Do you break this rule in video poker?

  1. #1
    In Jacks or Better and in Bonus the correct strategy is to hold four cards to an inside straight flush (not a royal draw) over a high (paying) pair.

    For example, if you are dealt As Ah 2h 3h 5h you should drop the As and go for the SF.

    And, if you are dealt Js Jh 10h 9h 7h you should drop the Js and go for the SF.

    Do you?

  2. #2
    I don't play job because that is a game that is played for the points instead of for the money. But in BP, it makes no sense to ever go for the SF if dealt two A's thru 4's. Other than that, you go for the SF. Players needn't be controlled by the math. That's the casino's game.

  3. #3
    Originally Posted by Rob.Singer View Post
    But in BP, it makes no sense to ever go for the SF if dealt two A's thru 4's.
    I agree with this, but I am going to admit something... I always kept paying pairs. I didn't know about dropping paying pairs to go for an inside SF or an open ended SF until I reviewed some strategy guides the other day.

  4. #4
    Alan, the biggest reason you go for the SF is because you can hit any kind of flush. A 4 card flush draw is about even money in itself and you add on to that a chance at a high pair and the SF.

  5. #5
    Arci, what do you give up by keeping the paying pair?

    I do what the strategy cards say. I actually don't remember the last time I did this, though, because the only 9/6 I play is at the LVH. I don't remember the last time it came up -- not recently.

  6. #6
    The high pair is essentially a guarantee of getting your money back with a reasonable chance of hitting 3oak and an outside chance at a FH or 4oak. Many people like that guarantee so they keep the high pair. Since people do not understand odds they don't realize that a 8/47 chance of hitting a flush is itself an even return when the flush pays 6.

    What a person gives up by keeping the high pair is a 1/47 chance of hitting the SF. Of course, there is also that 1/360 chance of hitting a quad by keeping the high pair and many people likely "feel" this is more likely even though it isn't.

    Since this hand happens so seldom the affect on anyone's long term results by taking either choice is probably negligible.

  7. #7
    Originally Posted by arcimede$ View Post
    Since this hand happens so seldom the affect on anyone's long term results by taking either choice is probably negligible.
    I am glad you mentioned this. I can't remember ever being faced with this particular situation??

    But what about when you play 8/5 Bonus, Arc? The example you gave above has a flush paying 6 coins, as in 9/6 Jacks.

  8. #8
    The 4 to a SF is still the proper hold.

  9. #9
    Originally Posted by arcimede$ View Post
    The 4 to a SF is still the proper hold.
    The "books" says when dealt Ah As 2s 3s 5s to hold the four the SF. But when I'm playing 8/5 Bonus, if ever I'm dealt this hand, I'm going to hold the aces. I am glad you say that it doesn't make much difference over the long run.

  10. #10
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    The "books" says when dealt Ah As 2s 3s 5s to hold the four the SF. But when I'm playing 8/5 Bonus, if ever I'm dealt this hand, I'm going to hold the aces. I am glad you say that it doesn't make much difference over the long run.
    8/5, 7/5, or 6/5....I also would only hold the two Aces, unless hitting a FLUSH would attain either a session win goal or a mini-win goal....and this is one of my special plays.

  11. #11
    What is proper hold on:

    jack heart, 10 heart, xxx. My buddy kept just jack and I stopped him and said keep the 10. He did and got the royal yesterday. I really don't know what is proper.

    8-5 Bonus

  12. #12
    You hold Jack Ten suited if the other three cards are blanks, for example:

    Jh Th 3s 8c 2d

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