A Two-Hand Video Poker Quiz

2 April 2022

By Jerry Stickman

Another video poker strategy test.

This time two hands are examined.

For both hands you are playing a full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better game with the maximum bet of five credits.

First hand:

Kd Ah Td 8h 2h

How would you play it?

This hand has two high cards (Kd Ah) and two cards of a royal flush (Kd Td). You could also hold just the Ace.

Would you take a shot a royal by saving the King / Ten, go for a high pair or more with the King / Ace, or just save the Ace and hope for the best – possibly even a royal flush?

Let’s take a look.

Starting from the lowest average return:

Holding just the Ah, while giving you a shot at a royal flush, returns only 2.2360 credits for the five you played.

Holding (Kd Td) for a shot at a royal flush has a return of just 2.3410 credits.

Holding the two high cards (Kd Ah) give you many possible winning hands including four-of-kinds, straights, three-of-a-kinds, two pairs, and high pairs. This hold returns 2.3716 credits.

Going for the royal flush would not cost a whole lot in this instance, just 61 cents per $100 played (.0306 credits per five played = .00612 credits per credit played).

If you are really going for the thrill of a royal, this would not be a terrible hold, but to get the most out of your bankroll, you should save the (Kd Ah).

Is that what you would have done?

Next hand:

Playing the same 9/6 Jacks or Better game with 5 credits bet you are dealt the following hand:

2s Jh Qs 4h Th

This hand has two cards of a royal flush (Jh Th), three cards of an open straight (Jh Qs Th), and two high cards (Jh Qs).

Would you go for the royal flush? Maybe you take a shot at the straight.

What about going for some high pairs or more by saving the two high cards?

Again, starting with the lowest return:

Holding the three cards of an open straight (Jh Qs Th) returns 2.3728 credits on average for the five credits played. Holding the two cards of a royal flush (Jh Th) returns slightly more at 2.4009 on average.

However, holding the two high cards (Jh Qs) returns 2.4900 credits on average. This is the proper hold.

Would you have played these hands properly?

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker! You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com