Skill challenge

[Puffles]

I have played several rounds of the video poker skill challenge. Every time I play according to the rules it switched up. Is it me? Tried jacks or better, triple and deuces wild. I can’t be that bad. Help ! lol. Any pointers ?

[CuddlyLion]

It isn't you. I've seen several complaints about this "skill" challenge, so I tried it, too (TripleDouble). I missed 9 out of 20. But the choices given as "correct" only apply to at-the-table poker games, NOT for TDB.

Here are the four hand types where I allegedly flubbed:

1. You are dealt AJx (D) and a low heart and a club. The "correct" play is to keep the three diamonds--but is it really correct to do so? You should keep only the face and the ace. Why surrender a chance at hitting a royal or a quad when you are by no means a shoo-in for hitting the flush? By keeping the AJ, you still have a shot at the flush, so why short change yourself? At table, of course, the flush is the best play, but not at TDB, and certainly not in a contest.

2. You are dealt QT suited plus a jack and two useless low cards. Again, the "correct" play is to go for the straight... but why? By keeping the two suited cards, again you keep yourself open for both a flush (which pays more than a straight), a royal, and you STILL have a shot (albeit reduced) at filling a straight anyhow. At table, the straight is definitely the right choice, but that isn't the playing condition.

3. You are dealt Jxx (suited) and two unsuited small cards. The "correct" play is to keep the three suited cards, but should you? Yes, I have filled a flush needing two cards, but it's a long shot. Just keep the jack and at least try to get a push (sometimes a long shot also), but notice that you keep every other winning hand type in play also. Why give up chances on other hands, even though they too are longshots?

4. You are dealt a pile of junk, but do get three suited cards: 7,6,4. The "correct" play is to keep these three cards, but what, really, are you hoping to hit? You need specifically 2 cards out of 47 to hit a straight flush (good luck with your 1/2162 odds) and have a very poor chance (between 2 and 2.5%) at filling either a straight or a flush, or of hitting a trip or a two pair--the only winning possibilities. Say what you like, but if you want a better shot at getting something for your trouble, just throw the hand in and hope for 5 better cards. Of course, these not-really-random computer-generated machines have a penchant for throwing out 10 more garbage hands far more often than they should, but it's far easier to hit one pair of faces or aces than it is to fill in a gap-toothed holding like the above. At the table, however, keep the three suited cards and try to run a bluff. Too bad you can't bluff the machine.

In short, it's always better to combine your chances where you can, and go for surer bets when your overall odds are very slim to begin with.

[onemoretry]

In all four examples, the "correct" play is the one that, over time and many repetitions, will give you the highest return. If you wish to play the hands differently, by all means do so. Just accept the fact that, if you play a lot, your choices will make you slightly poorer over the long haul.

[Webman]

But the choices given as "correct" only apply to at-the-table poker games, NOT for TDB.

This is definitely not correct. The holds given are based on the expected value for the exact pay table being played and are unrelated to table games.

You may have reasons to deviate from the highest EV hold but I wanted to clarify this for others who read it.