Ask The Slot Expert

I played the 6-9 jacks or better video poker machines recently at Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN.

I was surprised to find that "two pair" paid only 1 coin, instead of two! If both pair were small pairs, would you be ahead to discard one of the pairs, in order to have a better shot at 4 of a kind?

Thanks,
Bill

Dear Bill,

That's a sneaky paytable. It's not really 9/6 Jacks or Better. A true 9/6 Jacks machine pays 2 for two pair.

Assuming that the other paybacks on this machine are the same as 9/6 Jacks, this machines pays back a bankroll busting 86.7% according to Bob Dancer Presents WinPoker.

I also used WinPoker to answer your question. Given a hand with two low pairs, you're far better off holding both pairs. The expected value of two pair is 8.4 and the expected value of a low pair is 3.3.

Are you sure this machine didn't pay a bonus on some of the four-of-a-kinds? It seems like an awfully stingy paytable for video poker.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Hi John,

You've got to remember that this was on a riverboat...ever see a riverboat give anyone a break? This was the Argosy Casino at Lawrenceburg, IN.

The rest of the payoffs were the usual 9/6 with nothing special thrown in.

The other video poker machines on board were 5/9's and 5/8's and 5/7's jacks or better. Didn't play them, as I passed them over for the 6/9's. Don't know if they were 1 coin payouts for 2 pairs or not, since I didn't play them. Will check on my next trip.

Thanks,
Bill

Dear Bill,

I have limited experience with riverboats. I just couldn't believe a casino today would have a video poker machine with a payout that low.

Definitely check the other machines there. I suspect (hope, at least) that the 8/5 machine is 8/5 Jacks, which pays back about 97%.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@home.com.

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