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Video Poker Do you always follow perfect VP strategy when faced with a draw for the royal?

Discussion in 'Video Poker' started by Funkhouser, May 15, 2012.

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  1. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    Just out of curiousity wondering how many people will vary from perfect VP play when given an opportunity to go after Royal:

    Example:

    JKQ suited and 5 of same suite. Would you go after the flush or hold 3 for a chance to draw royal.

    I find myself never able to draw for the flush versus take a shot at a Royal in these situations.
     
  2. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    I would hold the flush.

    The odds of drawing two to the royal flush are 1 in 1081

    Assuming max bet you've already won 30 credits and the royal flush pays 4,000 credits.

    That means you would be taking a one in a thousand shot at winning 133 times your money... a pretty bad bet: VP players pride themselves on the high payback of their games, usually 98% or higher. But such a bet be equivalent to a 12% payback.
     
  3. sabre

    sabre Low-Roller

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    Some machines pay for pairs of Js or better ...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 15, 2012
  4. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    I had that exact situation Saturday night at our local casino. I always go for the royal too - and Saturday night it paid off, as I hit the royal.
     
  5. Pinny Long

    Pinny Long VIP Whale

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    I'd sacrifice a pair, but not something as good as a flush. If I had four of the cards needed for my Royal I'd go for it definitely, but not with just three. That's just me, though.
     
  6. Ben Jammin

    Ben Jammin MIA

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    VP fact or fiction. that ViooDoo that YouDoo so well!

    Depends on your approach to strategy. Are you playing long term or hit and run. In the case of most part time players, such as those of us who drive in for a few days we are looking for the maximum return in the short run, and the holy grail of VP is the almighty Royal Flush!!

    So, what's sacrificing a few quarters at a chance to hit big?

    You can play it conservative, and then e mail Bob Dancer and tell him how you did, or.. you can go the Rob Singer way and try to hit the big time in 30 minutes or less. Just don't forget to buy the book in triplicate and pass them out to your friends.

    :thumbsup:
     
  7. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

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    According to my JOB strategy sheets 3 to a Royal IS better than 4 to a flush.
    1.3867 3 Royal
    1.2646 4 Flush


    In Double-Double Bonus 3 to a Royal is mostly better than 4 to a flush.
    1.4542 QJTs, KQJs
    1.3733 KQTs, KJTs
    1.3617 AKQs, AKJs, AQJs
    1.2646 4 Flush
    1.2498 AKTs, AQTs, AJTs
     
  8. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

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    I think some of the replies indicate that the original question has been misunderstood. The OP is asking whether you would hold 4 to a flush with JQKx or just the high cards, hoping for the Royal.

    It's a no brainer to hold the high cards for the Royal. Obviously if the hand was JQKxx, all of the same suit, then hold the flush.
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Bob Dancer breaks it down this way:

    [​IMG]
     
  10. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

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    I think the OP thought that the 'correct' play WAS to hold 4 to a flush instead of 3 to a Royal (assuming JOB), but it turns out that 3 to the Royal is the better play, anyway, so there is no dilemma there.

    Some hands where you SHOULDN'T keep 3 to a Royal. If you have:
    A paying pair or 2 pair.
    4 to straight flush.
    Any other paying hand.
     
  11. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    I probally should have elaborated, but I guess my answer will be in line with the game selected.

    My question also includes VP varations that do not pay even money for high pairs (J,Q,K,A).
    So the games like Dueces wild where original bet is returned only for 3 of a Kind.

    I also think there are some variations of VP that also only pay for two pair or better. The intent of my question was more to draw out, would you make a statistically wrong play to go after a Royal Flush at every opportunity. Since my VP play is limited to mostly Vegas, and should this strategy is always limited to sessions which durations run 30 mins or less.
     
  12. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

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    I just make the best percentage play for the game I am playing.

    Joe - that must be a weird and wonderful pay table you are using. Something like 8 coins for a flush and 4 coins for 3OAK? Even with 10/7 Double Bonus, holding the 4 to a flush over 3 to a Royal is a marginal play. Your pay table is very heavily weighted to the flush return.
     
  13. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Oops. It was set from a question on Bonus from a month or so ago and I never changed the pay tables back.:poke: Here is the table from 9/6 JOB:
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

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    Thanks. Now I can relax and go back to doing something useful with my life! :beer:
     
  15. zerofan

    zerofan VIP Whale

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    Exactly my strategy as well. Never throw away a winner just to go for more money.

    Like Pinny said, with 4 to the Royal and a sure winner, I would prob try for the big hit.
     
  16. kiwiboy1

    kiwiboy1 Low-Roller

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    I would like to thank everyone who doesn't try to play correct strategy for making the hold on VP higher than they really are. Really, thank you guys very much. I would also ask other players to respect their decisions and let them throw away their money in peace ;)

    Bless you all.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2012
  17. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

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    With 4 to the Royal, you aren't making a mistake by playing it unless you are throwing away a straight flush (JOB). Basically, you ALWAYS play 4 to the Royal. So no violation of proper strategy there.

    But stuff like keeping 3 to the Royal instead of a pat paying hand, that's a (big) error.
     
  18. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    In this scenario I would take the flush. There are other times I shoot for a royal when really not supposed to. A lot depends on the number of drinks I had. :beer:
     
  19. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    I really hate holding four to a straight flush vs. three to a royal e.g. 9 J Q K suited.

    Cuz if I get the 10, I'm going to be wondering....

    Sometimes in Vegas I choose to make minor errors going for the Royal - because I'm there to get a ROYAL not to get a straight or some other POS hand.
     
  20. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    Ditto on that!
     
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