I have been dealt a royal flush once on the initial deal and four times on the second deal. At the hard rock in Hollywood fla I hit a royal flush and changed machines. The next hand I was dealt a royal After I threw all the cards away playing deuces wild.
My first Royal was on the first hand I played that particular vacation. I was dealt a flush with four to the Royal. Threw away a low spade and hoped for an Ace or a nine for a straight flush. Up popped the Ace.
I've hit 4 twos a few times on first hands.
The more you play, the more you will hit things on your first hand.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Royals are so few, that it’s not worth chasing them. Getting tired of keeping AK of hearts etc, nothing happens. Take what you get, live to play another day.
I’ve gotten a few Royals but don’t chase. Play DDB and TDB because pay off better. Play a game and if not getting anything change the game. Sometimes JOB or DB get better cards. Always cash out anything.
Long term, not playing the best EV will bite you. That said, my opinion differs greatly on what long term is. I feel it can be longer than one’s lifetime. I guess what I am saying is play the best game and paytable you can find, but if it makes your sessions more fun to just keep an ACE, do what makes you happy, realizing there could be some long term negative financial consequences. You definiteky want to avoid though when holding cards what is considered a high error and even medium errors if possible. A few low errors here and there might cost you a few bucks, but not much even long term unless you play 2 million hands a year like I do. Then they can really add up.