Video Poker Question

MrDannimal · #1 06-24-2004, 08:56 PM

So I'm toying around with some VP as cover play while I'm watching the NBA draft.

I'm playing 9/6 Jacks or Better, but it has that goofy option to "Double" if you win. You have to pick one of 4 cards to be higher than the card showing.

What's the house edge on this, and how bad of an idea is it to take this option vs. not taking it?

Homer · #2 06-24-2004, 09:09 PM

What's the house edge on this, and how bad of an idea is it to take this option vs. not taking it?

I believe there is no house edge on this bet, since a tie counts as a push.

All it does is increase your variance, which is already rather large when playing Video Poker.

-- Homer

TomCollins · #3 06-24-2004, 09:20 PM

Presuming its fair, its an even proposition.
Dealer Wins Losses Ties
2: 48 0 3
3: 44 4 3
4: 40 8 3
5: 36 12 3
6: 32 16 3
7: 28 20 3
8: 24 24 3
9: 20 28 3
T: 16 32 3
J: 12 36 3
Q: 8 40 3
K: 4 44 3
A: 0 48 3

Totals: 312 312 39

So you win 47% of the time, lose 47% and tie 6%.

MrDannimal · #4 06-24-2004, 09:29 PM

Thanks guys.

Piers · #5 06-25-2004, 07:53 AM

Its an evan money bet with no house edge. The only use I have found for it is at Playtech casions where it counts towards the playthrough [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

BradleyT · #6 06-25-2004, 11:36 AM

When it counts for wager requirements would you do it on a 4oak win?

Piers · #7 06-25-2004, 08:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
When it counts for wager requirements would you do it on a 4oak win?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure what you mean by 4oak win. What I do is to play jacks or better, 5x$5 rows. Keep doubling up until you loose or hit $1000 when you cannot double up any more. Very high variance but about as close as you can get to break even (except the magajack progressive when its +EV). Also allows you to get more promotions in per hour.

BradleyT · #8 06-26-2004, 12:47 AM

If you had a 125+ 4 of a kind win, would you risk it by doing the double up?

Piers · #9 06-26-2004, 08:43 AM

Yes, if I still have enough of the play through to cover it.

GrannyMae · #10 06-26-2004, 01:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]

I'm playing 9/6 Jacks or Better, but it has that goofy option to "Double" if you win. You have to pick one of 4 cards to be higher than the card showing.

What's the house edge on this, and how bad of an idea is it to take this option vs. not taking it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Massive sucker bet. There is no guarantee that any of the 4 cards will be higher than yours. All 5 are random. It is possible to try to double 1,000 times with zero possibility of a win. Unclick the allow double option. It is your only hope at value.