Strategy Quiz: Holding Two High Cards Versus a Three-Card Straight Flush

11 February 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.

These quizzes will be posted periodically and will feature hands that have holds that produce very close results or are often misplayed.

Recently, I presented a hand with an ace and four low cards. However, the ace was suited with two of the low cards making a straight flush possible.

Many players, even skilled players tend to miss a straight flush possibility when the hand has only an ace and four low cards.

What about a hand that contains an ace, another high card, and three low cards – two of which can be added to the ace for a straight flush possibility?

Let us see.

Here is today’s dealt hand: Ad, 5c, 4d, Jc, 2d
• A of diamonds – (Ad)
• 5 of clubs – (5c)
• 4 of diamonds – (4d)
• Jack of clubs – (Jc)
• 2 of diamonds – (2d)

The hand has two high cards and three low cards.

But, there is also a three-card straight flush in diamonds (Ad, 4d, 2d)
.
Which hold is best?

Holding the three cards of a straight flush (Ad, 4d, 2d) returns 2.6272 credits, on average, for the five credits played.

Holding the ace and jack (Ad, Jc) returns 2.3913 credits, on average, for the five credits played.

Holding for the straight flush is still the proper play.

Unlike hands with just an ace and four low cards that have a three-card straight flush, almost all players will notice that there also is a three card straight flush in this hand.

The fact that there is another high card causes most players to take a closer look at the hand before deciding upon the which cards to hold. This pause for a closer look is quite often missing with the hand containing a lone ace.

Similar to Coca-Cola’s pause that refreshes, this pause replenishes.

Did you play the hand 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