Video Poker table

With only a low pair (3s) and no straight, flush, or high-card draws available, holding the pair maximizes expected value because it gives the best chance to improve to three of a kind, two pair, or a full house.

With no pair, flush draw, or straight draw, the only paying high card is the jack, so holding it alone maximizes expected value.

Holding the pair of 5s gives the best expected value; it can improve to two pair, three of a kind, or better, while a lone king has much lower equity.

The dealt hand contains a paying pair of Queens, which is the strongest available draw; holding the two Queens maximizes expected value versus chasing weaker flush or straight possibilities.

Holding the pair of Aces maximizes expected value: it guarantees at least a jacks-or-better payout while offering chances to improve to two pair, three of a kind, a full house, or four of a kind.

Holding the four clubs gives a flush draw with 9 outs, plus three remaining Jacks for a paying pair, yielding the highest expected value among all holds.

Holding the pair of aces is optimal in Jacks or Better, giving a guaranteed paying pair with strong chances to improve to three of a kind, a full house, or four of a kind.

Holding 2-3-5-6 gives a four-card inside straight draw; any of the four 4s completes a straight paying 20 credits, yielding the highest EV for this otherwise junk hand.

Holding the pair of tens is the best play; it gives a guaranteed paying hand with chances to improve to trips, two pair, or a full house, while discarding the other three cards maximizes expected value.

Holding the pair of Queens maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to trips, full house, or four of a kind while guaranteeing at least a jacks-or-better payout.

With only a low pair of eights and one high card, the optimal Jacks or Better play is to hold the low pair and draw three, maximizing chances to improve to trips, two pair, or a full house.

With no pair, no four-card flush, and no straight draw, the best play is to keep the lone high card (Kc) and redraw four cards, maximizing chances at a paying pair or better.

Holding the pair of kings gives a guaranteed paying hand with a chance to improve to two pair, trips, full house, or four of a kind; discarding the low kickers maximizes expected value.

Holding the pair of 2s is the best available play; there are no high cards, flush draws, or straight draws worth pursuing over the low pair.

Holding the four spades (Ks,3s,4s,8s) gives a 4-card flush draw with 9 flush outs and 3 additional outs to a paying pair of Kings, yielding higher EV than holding the low pair of 8s.

Holding both pairs guarantees at least two pair and gives four outs to a full house, which is the highest-EV hold for this dealt two-pair hand.

With only a low pair of 8s and no flush or straight draw improvement, the optimal play is to hold the pair and draw three cards.

Holding the pair of Kings is the highest-EV play; it already pays as jacks or better and has chances to improve to two pair, trips, a full house, or four of a kind, while no flush or straight draw is available.

Holding the pair of jacks is the strongest simple play; it already pays as jacks or better and gives the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, or better without weakening the made pair.