A Sure Thing

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A Sure Thing

            Several weeks ago, I wrote about a friend who texted me late one night looking for some video poker advice.  I wound up taking a picture of a strategy chart and texting him back.  Just to be clear, this was a good personal friend.  Please don't send me e-mails expecting immediate turnaround!  This past week, he needed more help and call this time.  He was a dealt a 4-Card Straight Flush which was also a Straight and wanted to know what the right play was.  Just to make sure I gave him the right answer, I looked it up and told him the correct play and what the expected values of each hand was.

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Fight Math With Math

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Fight Math With Math

           Have you ever been dealt a hand that contains 3 of one suit and 2 of another and wondered why you don't get paid for this type of 'Full house'?  Imagine if video poker paid for this type of hand.  It is hard to say the exact probability of getting this type of hand after a draw.  I know that a little over 10% of hands are dealt this way, but a fair number of them are other winning hands or near winners.  If you had 3 diamonds to a Royal and 2 clubs would you go for the Royal or would you just take your suit Full House and be content.  You can't answer this until you know how much this hand pays.  If I said it paid 1, you might go for the Royal.  If I said it pays 4, you'd probably keep the suit Full House.

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