Can't understand this hand I was dealt in JB 9/6

[Ace Roller]

I'm trying a trial of the pro training.

Been playing Jacks or Better and nothing else because I'm still new to video poker.

So far I've been learning and understanding my mistakes on different hands, but I'm totally stumped on this specific hand:

9 clover, 3 diamond, Jack diamond, Queen Clover, and 8 Clover.

At first I just held the Queen and Jack. Simple right? No, according to the pro, I was far from right. It's saying that I should have instead hold the Queen, 8, and 9 for reasons that are way beyond me.

I don't understand why the EV favors this combo as the best play? When I switch the Queen clover with a different higher card of the same suite, only then can I hold that higher card with the Jack.

Same thing with the other clover cards. If I switch the 8 or 9 clover with any other clover card, then pro is saying that the best play is holding the Queen and the Jack.

Why am I not understanding this? What am I missing? What concept am I failing to understand that allows me to see why my original play wasn't the preferred one? Eli5, please.

I don't get it.

[Webman]

At the bottom of the EV chart in Pro Training, hit the details link. The full chart may help you better understand which resulting hands are pushing the EV towards that hold over other potential holds.

[OTABILL]

I suspect the reason is that with the suited Q,9,8 you could get a straight flush, flush, straight, or a pair of queens. Any other suited card would rule out one or more of these possible outcomes. I don't play JOB so just a guess.

[calwatch]

Yes, Q98 suited is the correct play. The Bob Dancer book calculates it out, while there are two gaps in the straight flush, the fact that the Q is a high card cancels some of that out. QJ unsuited is pretty strong, but drawing two cards to a 250 straight flush is a lot easier than drawing three cards to a 125 four of a kind.

[onemoretry]

That explanation from catwatch explains the hold situation perfectly.

I do want to add an unrelated comment. I have been playing various card games for somewhere in the neighbourhood of 75 years. Until today, I have never heard of the "clover" suit! I assume the reference is to the suit most folks call clubs.

[dinghy]

Without any consideration of suits, straight potential is important. So a Q98 hold is significantly different from a K98 or Q97.

[Vman96]

That explanation from catwatch explains the hold situation perfectly.

I do want to add an unrelated comment. I have been playing various card games for somewhere in the neighbourhood of 75 years. Until today, I have never heard of the "clover" suit! I assume the reference is to the suit most folks call clubs.

I knew it meant clubs immediately, but I've never heard it referred to as clover in any card game.

[Jstark]

Clovers, puppy paws. There's probably a few others.

[Marquette II]

Can't understand why the Q98 hold is so hard to understand.