confused about holding JOB high cards

[rdolmat]

Hi folks...when I play on one of the training video poker sites...I always get this recommendation:ie: you're dealt 2 6 8 K J A (all un-suited)I try to hold the K J A to hopefully get a JOB pair...but the trainer usually suggest to only hold the K J...even if the cards are 2 6 8 K Q A...it suggest to hold K Q...never the A as well...what's the logic behind this?thanks!

[MikeA]

okay, here goes:If you are holding three of the cards (AKJ or AKQ) the reason would only be to draw to a straight with the possibility of drawing two cards, one of which might pair up with one of the high cards you are holding.  Your odds on pairing up are higher if you draw three to pair up with two high cards.  Also, by holding two unmatched cards, you have a shot at drawing a Full House.  You can't get a FH by holding three different cards.So, which two.  You hold the lower cards because ironically, you have a better chance at an open ended straight than one terminated by the Ace making it an inside or gut-draw straight.  A you can see, there are a lot of factors involved.  Many times, it is not something that you can use "logic" with.  Trust the mathematical probabilities.

[shadowman]

Mike, you just used logic quite well.  I think the problem many folks face is they don't think of all the possibilities. If you "just" think about the high pair in this case you can get confused. BTW, you can also get four of a kind holding just two cards.

[bigboy]

Don't forget about the four of a kind, also.

[bigboy]

Don't forget about the four of a kind, also.
 
 Five seconds to slow, i guess.

[rdolmat]

aW!!! You folks are amazing....thanks so much.That really makes sense when you think about it. I'll give that a shot now!

[rdolmat]

quick follow up here....what if you're dealt 2h 6s 8d Kc Qh Ac? So in this example, the K and A are suited?Do you still hold the K Q?

[shadowman]

I'd question the machine first of all. 6 cards is more than most VP machines deal.  However, I know what you mean and a suited two card draw with both faces is always better than two unsuited faces. The added value for possible royals, straight flushes and flushes makes it better. In fact, my last RF was holding just the ace and king of diamonds.

[rdolmat]

Thanks Shadow!But....what if you're deal 2 4 6 8 11 14 21 A K G J ?just kidding...yeah, I tend to go for the suited....back to my practicing!

[MikeA]

For those of you just starting out honing your skills at Video Poker....I understand completely why you are asking "why" on some of the strategy plays.However, don't get too caught up in the "logic" of the plays.  There are too many variations in even the most simple of games (like JOB) to stop and use "logic" to try and figure out the correct play.  It is for that reason that simulators were developed and that computer generated Strategy Charts were created.  With these simulations, the computer programs can and have computed the mathematically correct holds based on long term probabilities for each game and for each pay table on each game.  You have to trust these charts and use them.It is inevitable that you will question some of these plays just as indicated in this thread.  But, for my part, I sincerely hope that you use these "logically" explained plays to underscore the correctness of the charts that you are using to learn the strategies.  Whether you use charts alone (difficult at best) or whether you obtain a good simulator that will warn you of errors, you must learn the strategy for the particular game you are playing but not only that, the particular pay table that game offers!  Strategies differ with each game but even within the game itself, the  strategy will change based on the paytables.  There is no easy way to learn it.  But to be successful in the casino, learn it you must!  Either that or be extremely LUCKY.