Video Poker table

Three to a royal flush (Qh Kh 9h) has higher expected value than holding the low pair of nines, which pays nothing unless improved to two pair or trips.

The pair of sevens is the best hold: a made low pair draws to two pair/trips/quads with far higher EV than the three-heart flush draw or lone king.

The low pair of 2s has the highest expected value (~0.82 per credit) versus holding only the jack (~0.47); discard kickers and draw three to the pair.

Three aces are dealt, so holding the trips and drawing two maximizes EV: about 46/1081 chance at quads, 72/1081 at a full house, and a guaranteed three-of-a-kind otherwise (EV ≈ 21.7 credits), far better than any alternative hold.

Two pair (kings and fives) held drawing one has EV ~12.98 credits (4/47 for a full house), far above holding only the high pair (~7.68), so discard the queen.

Ac9c gives a flush draw (9 outs), plus chances at high pairs and a broadway straight — far better EV than holding the ace alone or drawing five.

Dealt two pair (aces and fours); holding both pairs and drawing one card gives 4/47 odds of a full house for EV ≈ 12.98 credits versus 10 for standing pat.

A low pair has higher expected value than a single high card (jack) in Jacks or Better, so hold the pair of twos and draw three.

Dealt two pair (queens and sevens); the king kicker is worthless, so discard it and draw one: 4 of 47 cards (a seven or queen) make a full house, EV ≈ 12.98 vs 10 for standing pat.

Holding the suited K♠A♠ keeps two jacks-or-better pair chances plus flush, straight-flush, and royal flush possibilities, which beats holding either high card alone.

No high cards or pairs; holding the 6-8 keeps open-ended straight draws (any 5,7,9 plus pair chances), which beats drawing five fresh cards.

Three to a royal flush (JsKsTs) is the strongest hold; discarding the 6c and 2s keeps draws to royal, straight flush, flush, straight, and high pairs.

Holding three to the royal flush in spades (9s-Ks-Js) with two high cards has the highest expected value, beating holding only the suited K-J.

No pair, flush, or straight-draw potential exists; the lone king is the only paying-card hold, and keeping it (drawing four) has a higher expected payout than drawing five fresh cards.

Holding the pair of queens is the highest-EV play (chances at two pair, trips, full house, quads); the two suited low cards plus ace give no better draw.

The pair of tens is the best hold; drawing three cards to a low pair has far higher EV than chasing the suited K-T or lone king.

The dealt hand 5s-6c-7d-8h-9d is already a made straight worth 20 credits; holding all five guarantees the payout, and no redraw can beat its expected value.

Holding the Q-K high pair draw; no suited combination or low pair is better, and QK unsuited keeps broad chances for high pairs, straights, and long shots.

Pair of 3s is the only made hand; holding it keeps two-pair/trips/quads draws plus full-house possibilities, better EV than holding the lone ace.

Keeping the suited Q-K-9 of hearts beats unsuited J-Q-K: it keeps high-pair, flush, and straight-flush potential.

Holding the pair of 5s and drawing three has EV ≈ 4.44 credits (chances at quads, full house, trips, two pair), far better than the 5-6-8-9 inside straight draw (EV ≈ 1.70, only four 7s help).

Two unsuited high cards (Jh, Kd) give the best expected value here; the 5-4-8 side offers no pair, flush, or straight potential worth keeping.

Holding the open-ended straight draw 5-6-8-9 (any 7 makes a straight) has higher EV (~0.68/credit) than holding only the jack (~0.47/credit).