Testing, Testing

16 April 2022

By Jerry Stickman

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:

Ad Js 4h 5s Ts

How would you play it?

This hand has three cards of a flush (Js 5s Ts), two high cards (Ad Js) and two cards of a royal flush (Js Ts).

Would you take a shot at the royal? Or would you rather try for a flush? What about saving the two high cards?

Let’s see which one has the highest average return.
Saving the (Js Ts) and trying for a royal flush returns 2.4403 credits on average for the five played.

Saving the two high cards (Ad Js) returns 2.3717.

Going for the flush by saving (Js 5s Ts) returns 2.2202 on average.

Going for the royal flush is the way to go this hand.

Is that what you would have done?

Second hand:

9c 8h Tc Kc Qd

Let’s examine the possibilities.

This hand has two cards of a royal flush (Tc Kc), four cards of a straight (9c Tc Kc Qd), two high cards (Kc Qd), and three cards of a straight flush (9c Tc Kc).

Those are several decent options from which to choose. What would you do?

Let’s see how things work out.

Starting from the lowest return to the highest:

Holding for the royal flush (Tc Kc) returns 2.2109 on average for the five played.

Saving the four cards of a straight (9c Tc Kc Qd) returns 2.3404 credits.

Saving the two high cards (Kc Qd) returns 2.4160 credits on average.

Finally, saving the three cards of a straight flush (9c Tc Kc) returns 2.6272 credits on average.

Holding for the straight flush the proper play for the hand.

There is another interesting side note on this hand. Saving either one of the two high cards alone returns more than saving the four cards of a 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