Video Poker Article – Playing Bad Hands

Here’s some tips on playing a few of those “all too common” bad hands we get on video poker. These tips only apply to basic “full pay jacks or better” machines.

Dealt hand Correct play Notes

2C-8H-10D-JD-QC Hold JD-QC Slightly better than 2 card Royal
that contains a 10.

8S-9S-10S-QD-AD Hold 8-9-10 S Better than 2 card Royal even with 2
high cards.

5D-9S-JD-QD-KC Hold JD-QD 2 card Royal (without 10) better than
inside straight and 3 high cards.

6D-8C-9S-10D-AD Hold AD Single A better than A-10 Royal in
regular Jacks or better. Not true with
higher progressive Royal paytables.


Note to players: We ALWAYS avoid 3-card straights and 4-card inside straights.

Thanks to Mr. Elliot Frome for this analys