Basic VP strat question

Pair is the way to go

 

The pair every time.

https://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/strategy/double-double-bonus/9-6/

 

As others have said, pair every time. Quads don't come in often from a pair, 1 in 360.33, but when they do come in, it pays very well. If you would hold the high card over the pair, this will cost you quite a bit because it's a frequent scenario. I don't have the software to exactly find out, i think it's about 4% loss of return if you always make that error.

M used to hold TWO high cards over a low pair, and she still does it in front of me sometimes to spite me.

 

Here is the chart for if the pair is 5 thru 10.



And here it is if 2’s thru 4

 

Is the A, J, 10 suited?

 

I didn't expect the difference in return to be so dramatic!

 

3 to the royal would be the keep over any pair of 2 thru 10 by an even higher margin.

 

Three to a Royal beats four to a flush if the flush only pays 5 for 1. 6 for 1 is more confusing.