Video Poker Quiz: Three Aces and Kicker?

17 June 2023

By Jerry Stickman

This article contains a video poker strategy quiz.

I get many questions about hands containing three aces and a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4.

Let’s look at a couple of different games and the infamous three aces and a kicker.

The quiz assumes the maximum five credits are 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.

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

Here is today’s dealt hand: Ac Ad Ah 4h 8d.
• Ace of clubs – (Ac)
• Ace of diamonds – (Ad)
• Ace of hearts – (Ah)
• 4 of hearts – (4h)
• 8 of diamonds – (8d)

Do you hold the three aces alone, or the three aces with the kicker of the 4 of hearts?

When holding just the three aces, there are two chances of snagging the fourth ace.

There is only one chance at the fourth ace if you also hold the 4 of hearts. However, if you do draw the final ace, the hand pays significantly more because of the kicker. That is what causes the dilemma for so many players.

Let’s assume the game is Double-Double Bonus poker with a full house paying 9-for-1 and a flush paying 6-for-1. Also, four aces pays 800-for-5 and four aces and a 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays 2,000-for-5.

Hold the three aces or the three aces and the 4 kicker? What would you do?

Here are the returns.
• Ac, Ad, Ah returns 62.4468 credits for the five-credit bet on average.
• Ac, Ad, Ah, 4h returns 59.1489 credits for the five-credit bet on average.

Holding just the three aces is the best move playing a Double-Double Bonus game.

Now, let’s assume the game is Triple-Double Bonus poker, also paying 9-for-1 for a full house and 6-for-1 for a flush. Also, four aces pays 800-for-5 and four aces and a 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays 4,000-for-5; the same as a royal flush.

Again, hold the three aces or the three aces and the 4 kicker? What would you do?

Here are the average returns for this game.
• Ac, Ad, Ah returns 78.31635 credits for the five-credit bet.
• Ac, Ad, Ah, 4h returns 97.127565 credits for the five-credit bet.

What a turnaround. From a fairly close second place on a Double-Double Bonus game to a clear winner, by over 20 credits, on a Triple-Double Bonus game. Doubling the pay for four aces and a kicker to 4,000-for-5 from 2,000-for-5 makes all the difference.

The three aces and the 4 kicker is the only way to go.

Did you play this hand correctly both times?

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