DDB - 2s,3s,4s

[Vol]

For DDB, I read that if you have 2 pair incl aces, you keep just the aces.  Similarly, for a FH with 3 aces, keep just the aces.  Anything similar for 2s, 3s, and 4s since they are also valued higher, possibly the same as aces (800) depending on the kicker?  Does it depend on the pay table?  How about for multiple hand games?

[shadowman]

Vol, strategy always depends on the paytable. However, in every DDB game I've seen there are no special plays involving 2-4. Hold all full houses and two pairs with those cards. There are games like TDB where strategy changes are required.
 
Multi-hand games do not require strategy changes.
 
If you want to look at individual hands you can always visit vpgenius.com and look for yourself.

[kjohn]

Vol, here is another thing to consider.  All gambling has an element of
chance involved unless it's rigged...That's why it's called gambling..So
although there are "perfect" plays, those that offer you the best return for
your money, sometimes it's fun to just gamble...The scenario you describe happens
to us all...Three A's dealt in a full house...If you are playing  $.25 a full house is
worth $11.25,  the three pairs is worth $3.75 so you are making a  $7.50 bet that you will get the big 4A's   
You have to decide  if it's worth betting the $7.50 to go for the 4 A's with or
without the kicker...Gambling is all about money!!!!  Personally I always go for
the A's. I've gotten it enough times to warrant
taking the gamble ...However if I'm playing  $1. I would never go for the A's...
$45. vs. $15 with a potential loss of  $30 is too big a risk for me.  Having
said all this the same thing holds true for the 2,3,4's in DDB when you have them delta in
a FH...If you're willing to loose the difference between the FH and the 3K  go
for it. Just know that your odds of improving a winning hand are not good... In
the multi play games you can potentially loose even more as you can loose on all
the lines. Of course you can win on one line and come out ahead...As I
understand "perfect" play it is the plays that give you the best odds for a
winning hand...Best way to play but sometimes it's fun to take a chance. 
If you only play occasionally you don't need to be as concerned about pay
tables as those who play a lot.  The more you play the more vital it is to play
accurately.  If like me you only play for a couple of days about 5 times a year
the concern is not so great, as in the long run I won't play enough hands to
make a huge difference.  Case in pt.  We got a free trip to Beau Reviage in
Biloxi.  Terrible pay tables.  So we went to the IP where the pay tables were
better and I did terribly.  That evening I was stuck at the BR so just decided
to stick $100 in a 8/5 triple play.  I was dealt 4 A for a nice $600, played it
off and was dealt the 4 A's again and got the kicker on the middle line..So
despite the pay table I netted a fast $1500...The few FH or FL with the reduced
pay table  didn't really matter in that case...

[shadowman]

Kjohn, it wouldn't be entirely correct to say it "didn't matter". As with all high variance games your session results will depend primarily on whether you hit a few of the high paying results. However, if you continue to play these games your overall results will suffer. They may only differ by $10-100 a session based on session length, but even at 10 days a year that comes out to $100-1000 for a quarter player.
 
In addition, I know you understand that a bad session on a full pay game is still more likely than a good session. The same is true on any lower paytable. Siting a few examples is not really very meaningful. I have hundreds of bad sessions every year on full pay machines. I still end up ahead at the end of the year.
 
Besides, I know you play more often than that.

[kjohn]

Shadow you are too funny..Actually I'm playing less.  No more or those Indian Casions in OK and KC is out also so hubby and I only get to Vegas about 5 times a year..and I'm spending more time running around with him seeing the sights , doing a little shopping etc...BUT considering how BEHIND I was last year I'll heed your advice.  

[shadowman]

I had a bad year last year as well. My smallest percentage win in the last 7 years. So, it happens to all of us when we visit the wrong side of average for awhile. That's the reason I like to have a big edge. We can hope 2010 gets back to the right side of the old bell curve.
 
 

[kjohn]

It's  good to know that someone on this site besides me had a bad year...All those big winners makes me depressed..I'm happy for them but I'd like to join them in the winners circle...I'm starting with a new plan this year...and I'll see how it goes...My money management isn't the best...I'm like a kid in a candy store when I hit the casino or in today's vernacular perhaps a kid at Best Buy...I don't think candy is as big a draw as the Wii, I pods and the likes. I'm wondering if you play any of the new games.  By new I mean  those games like wheels, dream card, ultimate X, quick quad etc...I don't play ANY of them  as it seems like too much risk for the possible larger payback.Am I missing something?

[shadowman]

At the casinos I'm playing none of the new games provide as good of an edge as older games. So, I only play the older ones. However, things will eventually change, they always do, and I will look for whatever gives me the best opportunity. 

[Vol]

Thank you Shadowman and Kjohn for some interesting replies.  Here's a related question.  How do you compare DDB and Bonus Deluxe?  In DDB, it's very frustrating to play through 400 credits and then get a 'four' worth 250. The BD pay table with all 'fours' at 400 avoids this though you give up the 800 and 2000 pays.  Which do you prefer? or neither? 

[shadowman]

Both games (DDB and Bonus deluxe) are fairly high variance and the strategies are very close. If you can find 9/6 BDX, it pays back about .65 greater than 9/6 DDB so I consider it a better game. OTOH, I'd play 10/6 DDB if that were available because it has a better return.
 
I almost always look for the highest paying game no matter what. Sometimes I have to limit my play time if the game isn't as exciting, but that's never a problem for me.