Video Poker Contest - Use Our Tool, Win $20 Amazon Gift Card

[givememyleg]

We are in the process of launching a new tool to analyze jacks or better video poker decisions, which can be seen here - Video Poker Trainer

This tool is currently in Beta , so there may be some bugs.

Here are the rules of the contest:

1) Use our tool to analyze an interesting video poker situation and compare that analysis to come up with the best +ev decision. For example, with 89TJJ, should you go for the straight, or keep the Jacks? Or is four to a flush better than a pair of Kings? Be creative.
2) Post your example(s) in this thread using either the images or text output provided.
3) Let us know what you think of the tool. Since we're in beta, we're looking to gather feedback. What do you like/dislike? What kind of features would you like to see added?
4) The contest will run from 1/23 until 2/1. One winner will be selected by our admins and moderators. That winner will be contacted and sent a $20 gift card for amazon.com.

So that's it. Just use our tool, show a sticky video poker situation, explain what the best move is, and let us know what you think.

Go go go!

Fine Print
We will not allow spamming for this contest. Each member can make a max 3 entries. Members must have an account that is in good standing and have been an active member for at least 30 days, with over 25 total posts. The winner will be chosen based on what we feel is the most creative situation with best analysis. Winner will be chosen and announced by 2/2. All entries must be unique. Feedback on the tool (positive or negative) is required.

[givememyleg]

Here is an example hand:

We are dealt QJT9Q. Should we keep the Queens or go for the straight flush?

Image Output

Holding Queens


Holding OESFD


Text Output


Holding Queens

Jacks or Better - Expected Value (ev) for holding Qc Qh and discarding Jc Tc 9c

Based on inserting 5 coins (max coins)

By Video Poker Trainer | Analyze Jacks or Better Decisions version 0.8 beta.

Jacks or Better: (11559/16215)*5 = 3.56 ev
Two Pair: (2592/16215)*10 = 1.60 ev
3 of a kind: (1854/16215)*15 = 1.72 ev
Full House: (165/16215)*30 = 0.31 ev
4 of a kind: (45/16215)*125 = 0.35 ev
Total: 7.53 ev

We inserted 5 coins and we expect to get back 7.53 so this hand has positive expected value.

For entertainment only. Use your own math for real money.

Holding OESFD

Jacks or Better - Expected Value (ev) for holding Qc Jc Tc 9c and discarding Qh

Based on inserting 5 coins (max coins)

By Video Poker Trainer | Analyze Jacks or Better Decisions version 0.8 beta.

Non-Qualifying: (27/47)*0 = 0.00 ev
Jacks or Better: (5/47)*5 = 0.53 ev
Straight: (6/47)*20 = 2.55 ev
Flush: (7/47)*25 = 3.72 ev
Straight Flush: (2/47)*250 = 10.64 ev
Total: 17.45 ev

We inserted 5 coins and we expect to get back 17.45 so this hand has positive expected value.

For entertainment only. Use your own math for real money.



Therefore we should choose the OESFD since the ev is over twice as high.

Feedback - I'd like to see the tool have the ability to hold 1 card minimum and allow for custom payout tables.

Note - All posts need not be structured this way, it's just here to serve as an example.

[daven]

are the payouts consistent as per your examples above? (videopoker novice here)

[StarGrinder]

Without even reading all that I toss the Q and go for the frush/str8 frush every time. I'll check out the tool since I'm a video poker degen.

[KoRnholio]

Here's my submission. And it's not cheating because I am the one who came up with this particular hand example JT988 while writing the content for this app's page


The closest EV decision I could find was while holding a small pair and an open ended straight draw.



Going for the straight has an EV at 3.72, with a non-qualifying hand 76.6% of the time.



Keeping the small pair resulted in a slightly higher EV of 3.97, with a non-payout hand occurring 71.29% of the time. Both hands are "drawing" hands, needing to hit another card in order to get paid. But starting with the small pair is better since there are far more payout combinations of 2 pair, trips, full houses and 4 of kinds possible. When drawing to the straight, there are only 8 straight outs, and the 3 outs to making a pair of jacks which give the player a payout. Having more outs to getting a payout also lowers the variance in the game for a player on a budget.

<>

Features I'd like to see added.
- Single button to clear all the card selections
- Custom payout grid on the drop-down menu (especially useful for progressive jackpot games, where the Royal Flush jackpot amount could potentially effect EV decisions when it is very large)
- Ability to calculate while holding just one card. I believe that it is preferable/+EV to hold a single A/K/Q/J vs drawing 5 new cards.

[StarGrinder]

I believe that it is preferable/+EV to hold a single A/K/Q/J vs drawing 5 new cards.

so much this imo

[Eric]

are the payouts consistent as per your examples above? (videopoker novice here)

Yes, here is the 5 coin payout structure it uses:
Royal Flush: 4000, Straight Flush: 250, Four of a Kind: 125, Full House: 30, Flush: 25, Straight: 20, Three of a Kind: 15, Two pair: 10, Jacks or Better: 5

[givememyleg]

Custom pay tables added.

Still 6 days to enter the contest!

[lolzzz_321]

so much this imo

yeee, tough with 178,365 combos to go thru tho

[givememyleg]

hey yal. one more day. easiest $20 ever?

[Galapogos]

Toughest spot I've ever been in. Not impressed it didn't tell me my odds of hitting that fifth Ad though.

[givememyleg]

Wait, how did you select the same card more than once? Or are you trolling me?

[Galapogos]

What if telling you how ruins my eligibility for the most interesting hand thus far in the contest?

[givememyleg]

You always win my heart.

[givememyleg]

There's like less than 12 hours left in the contest, yal are missing out on some easy DOUGH.

[givememyleg]

KoRnholio wins the $20 gift card! I will contact you with more information.

[kiwiMark]

bl gala, grats mrholio

[eugmac]

I call hax.

[Galapogos]

No shit. They reward an employee of the company with his boring every day hand. I had five fucking aces! And almost a five ace straight flush. No one does that!

[KoRnholio]

!

[lolzzz_321]

Crime Galap didn't win