Video Poker table

Holding the pair of sixes maximizes expected value; the 3-4-6 diamond draw is weak and lacks high cards, while drawing three to a low pair gives the best chance at two pair, trips, a full house, or quads.

Holding the low pair of 5s maximizes expected value; it has more ways to improve to paying hands (three of a kind, two pair, full house, four of a kind) than the 4-card inside straight draw.

Holding the three 5s keeps a guaranteed three-of-a-kind payout and gives chances to improve to four of a kind or a full house, which is the highest-EV hold for this deal.

Hold the pair of tens; it is a low pair with the best improvement chances to trips, two pair, or a full house. Discard the uncoordinated 8h, 2c, and 7c rather than chase a weaker three-card flush draw.

Holding the pair of 2s maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, or better, and low pairs outperform holding a lone king in Jacks or Better.

Holding the pair of Kings secures a guaranteed jacks-or-better payout while giving the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, a full house, or four of a kind.

Holding the pair of 2s gives the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, or better; a single high card Q is weaker in 9/6 Jacks or Better.

Holding the pair of queens gives the best expected value, with a guaranteed jacks-or-better payout and chances to improve to two pair, trips, or better.

Holding the four spades gives the best exact EV, with 9 remaining spades completing a flush and 3 non-spade queens making a paying pair. This dominates the 3-card straight-flush and high-card alternatives.

Holding the two pair (Jacks and 7s) gives an immediate payout and four outs to a full house, which is the highest-EV hold pattern.

Holding the pair of tens gives the best chance to improve to two pair, three of a kind, a full house, or four of a kind; the ace singleton is weaker in 9/6 Jacks or Better.

Holding the Ace and King gives the best expected value: they are two high cards that can pair, make two pair, and contribute to straight and royal flush draws.

In 9/6 Jacks or Better, with no pair and no flush/straight draw, holding the lone Queen is optimal over holding Ace-Queen unsuited; the Queen offers better straight and flush potential and avoids the Ace-Queen penalty.

Holding the low pair of 2s maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance at three of a kind, two pair, or better.

Holding the three kings maximizes expected value: it already pays three of a kind and gives chances at four of a kind or a full house, while no flush or straight draw is viable.

Holding the 4-5-6-7 open-ended straight draw gives the highest expected value with 8 outs to a straight (3 or 8), paying 20 credits.

With no pair or four-card draw, holding the lone king maximizes expected value; the three-spade flush draw is close but slightly lower EV.

Holding the three aces gives the best expected value, with chances to improve to four of a kind or a full house while keeping a guaranteed paying three-of-a-kind.

Holding the 8c-9c-Tc three-card straight flush maximizes expected value, as it can improve to a straight flush, flush, straight, trips, or two pair, outperforming the lone Kd or other partial holds.

Holding the pair of Queens gives the best expected value, with a guaranteed paying hand and chances to improve to two pair, trips, or better.

Holding the pair of Jacks maximizes expected value: it guarantees at least a jacks-or-better payout and gives strong chances to improve to two pair, trips, full house, or quads. The four-diamond draw has lower EV because it only pays on a flush or a drawn Jack.

Holding the pair of 2s maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, or better, while K-Q unsuited is weaker.

Holding 7-8-9-10 gives an open-ended straight draw with 8 outs, which has the highest expected value among the available holds.

Holding the Kc-Tc two-card royal flush maximizes expected value; it keeps royal, straight flush, flush, and high-pair chances while discarding the dead low cards.

With no made pair and no four-card flush or straight draw, holding the lone jack is the optimal Jacks or Better play, maximizing the chance to make a paying pair of jacks or better.

Holding the pair of Kings secures a guaranteed paying hand (jacks or better) and gives the best expected value; there is no flush or straight draw worth breaking the pair for.

Holding the four clubs gives a one-card flush draw with 9 outs, worth about 5.75 credits in expectation, which is the best available option from this no-pair, no-straight hand.