Hold three to a royal or a high pair?
On Jacks or Better, keep the high pair over three to a royal.
Average return per coin on Jacks or Better 9/6: Hold the pair 1.5365 · Hold three to a royal 1.4884.
Open this hand in the analyzerJacks or Better 9/6 strategy chart
The hand
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| Play | Cards held | Return per coin |
|---|---|---|
| Hold the pairBest | K♥ K♣ | 1.5365 |
| Hold three to a royal | K♥ Q♥ J♥ | 1.4884 |
Average coins back per coin bet on a five-coin bet, where a royal pays 4,000, counting every possible draw from the 47 cards left. Above 1.0000 the hold wins money on average.
Why
Three to a royal looks exciting, but you need both missing cards to make the royal: about one draw in 1,081. The pair of kings pays every time it stays a pair and still has its shot at two pair and better. Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus are different: two pair pays only even money there and four kings pay 50 for one, so the pair of kings is worth less and the royal draw wins.
Does the paytable change the answer?
The answer changes on Double Bonus Poker 10/7 and Double Double Bonus Poker 9/6, highlighted below.
| Paytable | Hold the pair | Hold three to a royal |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better 9/6 | 1.5365 | 1.4884 |
| Jacks or Better 8/5 | 1.5264 | 1.4487 |
| Bonus Poker 8/5 | 1.5264 | 1.4487 |
| Bonus Poker Deluxe 9/6 | 1.5293 | 1.4690 |
| Double Bonus Poker 10/7 | 1.4562 | 1.5365 |
| Double Double Bonus Poker 9/6 | 1.4461 | 1.4690 |
Average coins back per coin bet on a five-coin bet, where a royal pays 4,000, counting every possible draw from the 47 cards left. Above 1.0000 the hold wins money on average.