Video Poker Forum

I was playing a game of video poker today and got a hand that was  J A Q Q K.  I kept the Q and threw the J A K, but had to think for a while about that because this is the closes I have ever come to a royal flush     .

    Welcome to Video Poker Forum!! I assume you had 3 to a Royal, not 4? 

It would be helpful to know what game and pay table you were playing. For some, keeping the queens is a better play, but for others, drawing to three to a royal is superior.

I'm new to all this even though I've played a bit of video poker--I lose more than I win.davidear1, I'm not sure what you're asking but the hand was as I describe above.  I had J A Q Q K. 

onemoretry, are you saying a superior play would be  A Q  K  superior to A K Q J or QQ with this hand?

You haven't indicated which cards are suited with each other, nor the game and pay table you are playing. Without that information, it is not possible to determine the "best play".

onemoretry, are you saying a superior play would be  A Q  K  superior to A K Q J or QQ with this hand?
 


It could be. It depends on what suits are involved and what game you were playing. That is what was meant above when they asked for more detail.

Hi ks-vp...Welcome to the site.

I'm going to assume you are a new player so I'll try to make it easy. You may already know this. When Shadowman asks if the cards were suited what he means is which cards where the Same suit. For instance, if the JAQand K were all the hearts that would be called 4 to a royal...If any of the three high cards were of the same suit that would be Three to a royal. Always hold 4 to a Royal even if it means you have to throw a winning pair.

When it comes to holding three to a royal and throwing a winning pair there are a few more variables. You can go to the Training format on this site and it will let you pick which game you were playing such as Jacks or Better, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus. Then you can pick the exact hand you had and play it and the trainer will show you if it's the correct play.

Personally I usually hold three to a royal and throw the winning high pair. I've hit the Royal twice in the last year doing that. Sometimes if I'm playing $$$ I'll take the pair and be glad for it. Hope that was helpful..