Double VP Quiz

12 February 2022

By Jerry Stickman

This quiz is a bit different from previous quizzes. Rather than being for just one game, each hand is subject to the strategy for 9/6 Jacks or Better as well as 9/6 Double-Double Bonus. All strategy is based on betting the five-credit maximum.

Hand number one: Ad Jc Qc 7d Kd

How would you play this hand on a 9/6 Jacks or Better game?

This hand really has only four possible holds worth considering:

1. Two cards of a royal flush (Jc Qc).
2. Two cards of a royal flush (Ad Kd).
3. Four cards of an open straight with four high cards (Ad Jc Qc Kd).
4. Finally, three cards of a flush (Ad 7d Kd).

Here are the returns for these holds on a 9/6 Jacks or Better game:

1. Two cards of a royal flush (Jc Qc) return 3.0019 credits per five credits bet, on average.
2. Two cards of a royal flush (Ad Kd) return 2.7558 credits for five credits.
3. Four cards of an open straight with four high cards (Ad Jc Qc Kd) return 2.9787 credits.
4. Three cards of a flush (Ad 7d Kd) return 2.4884 credits on average.

Holding the Jack and Queen of clubs will get you 3.0019 credits on average. It is the best hold for this hand on a 9/6 Jacks or Better game.

With this hand on a Jacks or Better game you hold for the royal flush in clubs as it is slightly better than saving all four high cards.

Now, does the best hold change for a Double-Double Bonus game?

Here are the returns for the four holds for this hand on a 9/6 Double-double Bonus game:

1. Holding for the royal flush in clubs (Jc Qc) returns 2.798 credits for five credits bet on average.
2. Holding for the royal flush in diamonds (Ad Kd) returns 2.5858 credits.
3. Holding for the straight (Ad Jc Qc Kd) returns 2.9787 credits.
4. Holding for the flush (Ad 7d Kd) returns 2.5809 credits.

On a 9/6 Double-Double Bonus game forget the royal, saving for the straight is the way to go.

Hand number two: Qd Jd Ac 5s Kc

This hand is similar to the first hand. There are three possible saves worth considering.

1. There are two different two card royal holds:
a. (Qd Jd).
b. (Ac Kc).
2. Additionally, you can hold the four-card straight with four high cards (Qd Jd Ac Kc).

Will the holds match those of the first hand?

Here are the 9/6 Jacks or Better returns:

1. Holding the (Qd Jd) returns an average of 3.0019 credits.
2. Holding the (Ac Kc) returns an average of 2.8390 credits.
3. Holding the four cards of a straight returns an average of 2.9787 credits.

The proper play for this hand on Jacks or Better is to go for the royal in diamonds (Qd Jd).

Double-Double Bonus returns:

1. Holding the (Qd Jd) returns an average of 2.7980 credits.
2. Holding the (Ac Kc) returns an average of 2.6691 credits.
3. Holding the four cards of a straight (Qd Jd Ac Kc) returns 2.9787 credits.

On a Double-Double Bonus game unlike a Jacks or Better game, the proper play is to hold for the straight.

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