Last Video Poker Quiz of 2023

30 December 2023

By Jerry Stickman

This article contains a video poker strategy quiz. The game is full-pay (9/6 – 9-for-1 full house, 6-for-1 flush) jacks or better.

The quiz assumes the maximum five credits is played. The maximum bet produces the highest long-term return because the royal flush pays 800-for-1 (4,000-for-5) rather than 250-for-1 when less than the maximum is bet.

Look at the dealt hand below and decide which card or cards you would hold. Then read on to see if you are right.

Note: The statistics shown are from “Video Poker for Winners.”

These quizzes will be posted periodically and will feature hands that have hold choices that produce either very close results or are played wrong due to missing the obvious.

Here is today’s dealt hand: 3h, 6c, Qc, Kd, Jd.

• 3 of hearts – (3h)
• 6 of clubs – (6c)
• Queen of clubs – (Qc)
• King of diamonds – (Kd)
• Jack of diamonds – (Jd)

Checking the possibilities.

Four obvious possible holds are:
1. Qc, Kd, Jd – (Three high cards)
2. Kd, Jd – (Two-card royal flush)
3. Qc, Kd – (Two high cards)
4. Qc, Jd – (Two high cards)

The unsuited queen / king and the unsuited queen / jack are obviously inferior holds to the two holds listed above them.

Choice 1 (Qc, Kd, Jd) – Out of 1,081 possible outcomes, these three high cards can produce 32 straights, nine three-of-a-kinds, 27 hands with two pairs and 348 high pairs.

Choice 2 (Kd, Jd) – Out of 16,215 possible outcomes, this two-card royal flush can produce one royal flush, one straight flush, four four-of-a-kinds, 18 full houses, 163 flushes, 94 straights, 281 three-of-a-kinds, 711 hands with two pairs, and 4,914 high pairs.

Choice 3 (Qc, Jd) – Out of 16,215 possible outcomes these two high cards can produce two four-of-a-kinds, 18 full houses, 160 straights, 281 three-of-a-kinds, 711 hands with two pairs, and 4,914 high pairs.

Choice 4 (Qc, Kd) – Out of 16,215 possible outcomes these two high cards can produce two four-of-a-kinds, 18 full houses, 96 straights, 281 three-of-a-kinds, 711 hands with two pairs, and 4,914 high pairs.

Examining the returns from each hold.

Hold 1 (Qc, Kd, Jd) – returns 2.5763 credits on average for the 5 credits bet.

Hold 2 (Kd, Jd) – returns 2.9587 credits on average for the 5 credits bet.

Hold 3 (Qc, Jd) – returns 2.4764 credits on average for the 5 credits bet.

Hold 4 (Qc, Kd) – returns 2,3975 credits on average for the 5 credits bet.

We have a winner!

As expected, both two high card holds did poorly. Hold 2 (Kd, Jd) is the proper hold – by a moderate margin. The possible royal flush, straight flush, four-of-a-kinds, full houses and flushes make it the winner over the hold of three high cards.

Did you play this hand correctly?

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