Video poker multiple games quiz

21 June 2025

By Jerry Stickman

Today’s article is a quiz on proper video poker strategy. Rather than the usual one or two hands for a single game, this one is for one dealt hand across six different games.

See if you can play this hand properly on all six games.

Today’s hand contains:

- A of clubs (Ac)
- 10 of clubs (Tc)
- 2 of spades (2s)
- 7 of hearts (7h)
- 9 of diamonds (9d)

It is readily obvious that the only feasible choices are holding the Ace/10 of clubs or the lone Ace of clubs. Now, which of these two holds would you choose if the game was:

- Jacks or Better – 9/6, returning 99.54 percent
- Bonus Poker – 8/5, returning 99.16 percent
- Double Bonus Poker – 9/7. Returning 99.10 percent
- Double-Double Bonus Poker – 9/6, returning 98.98 percent
- Triple Bonus Poker – 10/7, returning 98.52 percent
- Triple Double Bonus – 9/6, returning 98.15 percent

The main factor with the holds is which pays more proportionately, a royal flush (saving the Ace/10), or a hand containing four aces (and possible kicker).

All the games pay 4,000-for-5 for a royal flush.

Four Aces pays:

- Jacks or Better – 125-for-5
- Bonus Poker – 400-for-5
- Double Bonus Poker – 800-for-5
- Double-Double Bonus Poker – 800-for-5
- Triple Bonus Poker – 1200-for-5
- Triple Double Bonus – 800-for-5

Four 2s, 3s, or 4s pays:

- Jacks or Better – 125-for-5
- Bonus Poker – 200-for-5
- Double Bonus Poker – 400-for-5
- Double-Double Bonus Poker – 400-for-5
- Triple Bonus Poker – 600-for-5
- Triple Double Bonus – 400-for-5

Four Aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays:

- Double-Double Bonus Poker – 2,000-for-5
- Triple Double Bonus – 4,000-for-5

Four 2s, 3s, or 4s with an Ace, 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays:

- Double-Double Bonus Poker – 800-for-5
- Triple Double Bonus – 2,000-for-5

In which games would you hold the lone Ace and in which would you hold the Ace/10?

The example hand returns the following:

- Jacks or Better – Ace: 2.3255, Ace/10: 2.3028
- Bonus Poker – Ace: 2.2769, Ace/10: 2.2636
- Double Bonus Poker – Ace: 2.2705, Ace/10: 2.2029
- Double-Double Bonus Poker – Ace: 2.3290, Ace/10: 2.1329
- Triple Bonus Poker – Ace: 2.1287, Ace/10: 2.0845
- Triple Double Bonus – Ace: 2.3508, Ace/10: 2.0462

In each case, the lone Ace hold is preferable to the Ace/10. When dealt a suited Ace/10 with garbage, always hold the lone Ace.

How did you do? Is this what you chose?

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

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 and 888casino.com. 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