Video Poker table

Holding the three clubs (9c, Qc, 5c) gives a 3-card flush draw, which has the highest expected value among the available holds for this no-pair hand.

With no pairs, no 4-card flush or straight draw, and only one high card (J), the optimal Jacks or Better play is to hold the lone jack and draw four new cards.

Holding the pair of 9s maximizes expected value in 9/6 Jacks or Better; it offers the best chance to improve to two pair, three of a kind, full house, or four of a kind, while alternative holds such as a single Ace or three-card combinations have lower expected return.

With no pair, no four-card flush, and no straight draw, the only paying high card is the king, so holding the lone king maximizes expected value in 9/6 Jacks or Better.

Holding the low pair of 2s maximizes expected value in 9/6 Jacks or Better; it is superior to holding a single high card or any partial straight/flush draw.

Holding the three 8s secures a paying three-of-a-kind and gives the best chance to improve to four-of-a-kind or a full house; drawing two is higher EV than holding the suited Ace-Queen or any other combination.

Holding the pair of aces is the strongest play: it already guarantees a jacks-or-better payout and gives the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, a full house, or four of a kind. The other cards add no flush or straight draw worth keeping over the pair.

Holding the low pair of 3s maximizes expected value; with no high pair or strong flush/straight draw available, improving the pair can yield two pair, trips, a full house, or four of a kind.

With no pairs, flush draws, or straight draws, the lone ace is the best hold; it maximizes expected value by preserving the high pair and full-house chances.

Holding Js-As-Ks-Qs keeps four cards to a royal flush, the highest-EV draw in Jacks or Better; discarding the 2d gives a chance at the 4000-credit royal while retaining flush and straight possibilities.

Holding both pairs (8s and 2s) keeps a guaranteed two-pair payout and gives four outs to improve to a full house, which is the optimal play over breaking the two pair.

Holding the two unsuited high cards Q and K maximizes expected value; they give the best chances for a high pair, two pair, trips, and straights, while no flush or straight-flush draw is available.

Holding the low pair of 7s maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to trips, full house, or quads, and its EV (~0.82) far exceeds alternatives like the 3-card straight or 2-card flush draw.

Holding the pair of 3s maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to trips, two pair, or quads, while discarding the unpaired 8, 9, and J.

Holding the pair of aces is the clear optimal play: it already pays as jacks or better and gives the best chances to improve to two pair, trips, a full house, or four of a kind. The other cards offer no useful flush or straight draw.

Holding the pair of Jacks maximizes expected value; it guarantees at least a jacks-or-better payout and gives the best chance to improve to two pair, trips, full house, or four of a kind.

Holding 2-3-4-5 gives an open-ended straight draw with 8 outs (four Aces and four Sixes) to complete a straight, maximizing expected value.

With no flush or straight draw available, the only paying potential is the low pair of twos, so I hold the pair and draw three.

Holding the pair of nines gives the best expected value; it can improve to trips, two pair, a full house, or four of a kind, while the other cards offer only weak flush or straight possibilities.

Holding the two suited high cards (J♥ Q♥) maximizes expected value, offering the best combination of flush, straight, and high-pair potential, with an EV of about 2.77 credits, higher than alternative holds such as the 4-card inside straight.

Holding the pair of Kings is the strongest play: it already guarantees a jacks-or-better payout and has good improvement chances to two pair, trips, full house, or four of a kind. The other cards offer no flush or straight draw worth pursuing.

With no pair, flush draw, or straight draw, holding the single high card (Queen) maximizes expected value in 9/6 Jacks or Better; other holds like Q+T or Q+4 suited have lower EV.

Holding the pair of sixes maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to two pair, three of a kind, a full house, or four of a kind, while no other hold offers a stronger draw.

Holding the low pair of 4s maximizes expected value; drawing three cards gives the best chance to improve to two pair, three of a kind, or better, while other holds like the 4-card inside straight have lower EV.

With no made pair, no four-card flush, and no open straight draw, the optimal Jacks or Better play is to hold the lone high card (Jh) and draw four new cards, maximizing chances for a paying pair or better.

Holding the pair of Jacks secures a paying jacks-or-better hand and gives the best chance at improving to trips, a full house, or four of a kind; the three-club flush draw is weaker than a high pair in 9/6 Jacks or Better.

Holding the pair of tens gives the best expected value; it can improve to two pair, trips, or better, and outranks the 3-card flush draw.

Holding both pairs (queens and eights) locks in a guaranteed two-pair payout and gives four outs to improve to a full house, the highest-EV play for this dealt hand.

With only a low pair and no flush or straight draws, holding the pair of 4s maximizes expected value by giving chances at three of a kind, two pair, full house, or four of a kind.

Holding the pair of 3s is the optimal play in Jacks or Better, as it has a higher expected value than holding a single Jack or the 3-4-5 straight draw. Discarding the Jack, 5, and 4 gives the best chance to improve to two pair, three of a kind, or better.