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To use the strategy at right, start at the top of the list and find the cards that describe your initial hand. Discard the cards that are not in the description.
Note that when you have “None of the Above” (#40), you redraw all 5 cards.
For a less complicated strategy that offers a 99.53% payback we highly
recommend “Video Poker — Optimum
Play”, by Dan Paymar.
BASIC TIPS
• If you have 4 cards to a Flush and 4 cards to a Straight, always draw for the Flush.
• Don’t throw away a low pair even if you have 3 high cards. The Expected Value of a Low Pair is 0.8237 while the EV of 3 unsuited High Cards is 0.5153.
• Always play max coins. The Bonus for a Royal Flush with max coins played adds almost 2% to the total payout.
• Never hold a kicker. (Ex: Holding onto an Ace in addition to a Low Pair.)
TERMS USED
SF: Straight Flush
Open-Ended: 3 or 4 cards to a Straight (or Straight Flush) in unbroken sequence — it can be completed on the low or high end.
Inside: 3 or 4 cards to a Straight (or Straight Flush) with a gap that needs to be filled to be completed. (Ex: 5-6-8-9 — only a 7 will complete this Straight.)
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1.
Royal Flush
2.
Straight Flush
3.
Four-of-a-Kind
4.
Four cards to a Royal Flush
5.
Full House
6.
Flush
7.
Three-of-a-Kind
8.
Straight
9.
Four cards to a SF, open-ended
10.
Two Pair
11.
Four cards to a SF, inside
12.
High Pair (J’s – A’s)
13.
Three cards to a Royal Flush
14.
Four cards to a Flush
15.
10-J-Q-K
16.
Low Pair (2’s – 10’s)
17.
9-10-J-Q
18.
8-9-10-J
19.
9-J-Q same suit
20.
9-10-J same suit
21.
Four cards to a Straight, open-ended
22.
8-J-Q same suit
23.
Three cards to a SF, open-ended
24.
9-Q-K or 9-J-K same suit
25.
8-9-J or 8-10-J or 9-10-Q same suit
26.
J-Q same suit
27.
J-Q-K-A
28.
J-K or Q-K same suit
29.
J-A or Q-A or K-A same suit
30.
Four cards to a Straight with 3 high cards
31.
Three cards to a SF, with either 1 gap or 2 gaps and 1 high card
32.
J-Q-K
33.
J-Q
34.
10-J same suit
35.
J-K or Q-K
36.
10-Q same suit
37.
J-A or Q-A or K-A
38.
10-K same suit
39.
Single High Card (J – A)
40.
Three cards to a SF, 2 gaps, no high cards
41.
None of the above
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