Quick Video Poker Strategy
Written May 21, 2008 by Jack Jones
Here is a couple of quick answers to Jacks-or-better video poker strategy questions such as which is the better draw: an open-end 4-card straight versus no high cards, one high card, two high cards or three high cards? A low pair opposed to two high cards? Two cards to a royal flush against a high pair (a winning hand), and three cards to a royal versus a high pair?
Casino expert Mark Pilarski weighs in on these answers which should help you get a quick grasp on how to lower the house edge on the video poker machines.
An open-ended 4-card straight is more powerful than one, two, three, or even four non-sequential high cards. A low pair is a superior hand over two high cards. You also keep a high pair over two cards to a royal, even a three-card royal. However, the expected value (win potential) of three cards to a royal and a high pair is so insignificant, even I abstain from perfect basic strategy and jump on the chance, as remote as it might be, of hitting the elusive royal flush.