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Hold 2, 3, 4, 6: 3.4043
Hold K only: 2.2068

The game is All American Poker which pays 40 for 5 on a straight, flush or full house. Here we drop the King to go for the inside straight.

The game is Double Bonus Poker where four Aces pays 800 for 5. The temptation is to go for the 4K, but the correct play is to hold the two pair because of the Full House payback of 50 for 5.

Hold 2-pair: 8.8298
Hold A, A: 8.8175

The game is 9/6 Jacks with a straight flush progressive at $150.

Hold 2, 3, 4, 5: 3.4043
Hold 3 clubs: 3.1822

The straight draw is still a better deal, though not by much.

Video Poker Review #4

Here we'll explore how some hands are affected by a progressive jackpot; be it a royal, straight flush or four-of-a-kind. These examples are all based on a 9/6 Jacks or Better game, though I realize that most progressives are 8/5 format. But, this game does exist -- at least at Harrah's in St. Louis -- and this study will hopefully help you, regardless of the format you play.

I am assuming a royal of $2250, a straight flush of $150 and a 4K of $37.00. The return shown is for a 5-coin play.

#1.

Hold K, K: 7.7521
Hold 2 clubs: 2.9898

Just making a point here. Don't let the lust for a royal cause you to make stupid plays.

#2.

Hold 10, J: 2.8998
Hold J, A: 2.3747

Normally the correct play is to hold only the high cards, but both the royal and SF jackpots dictate holding the 10 and dropping the Ace.

#3.

Hold 3 clubs: 11.5865
Hold K, K: 7.7521

Usually we never break a high pair for a 3-card royal, but you can easily see that doesn't apply in this situation.

#4.

Hold 4 clubs: 6.3830

Hold J, K: 3.1616

The flush draw is still the best play.

#5.

Hold 3, 3: 4.1878
Hold 3 diamonds: 3.1961

The low pair is still better than an inside straight flush.

#6.

Discard all: 1.8207
Hold 3,6: 1.5322

Still not worth drawing to a 2-card double-inside straight flush.

#7.

Hold 10, J, Q, K: 4.3617
Hold Q, K: 3.2621

The straight draw remains the correct play.

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