CasinoGaming.com


	Sundays: Inside Gaming Tuesdays: Video Poker Wednesdays: Off the Shelf Fridays: Richard Eng, Player's Edge Saturdays: Pocket Aces

VIDEO POKER

Columns

Back to Bob's index
Back to columnist index

Bob Dancer writes a video poker column for beginners to experts. He also writes a column with Jeffrey Compton, "Player's Edge", featuring information on promotions at various Las Vegas casinos. Player's Edge is published each Friday in the Neon section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Click here to send Bob Dancer an e-mail.

July 22, 2003

Examples of Penalty Cards in 10/6 Double Double Bonus

In last week's column, available a few mouse clicks away, I discussed four distinct types of penalties that were used in advanced Double Double Bonus strategies. Namely:

a. Low straight penalty --- LSP --- [2--5] --- suited or not with A
b. Straight flush penalty --- SFP --- [2--5] --- suited with A
c. Kicker penalty --- KP --- [2--4] --- suited or not with A
d. Straight flush kicker penalty --- SFKP --- [2--4] --- suited with A

In addition to these penalties, we need the rather standard straight penalty (sp) and the flush penalty (fp).

Case 1: A with fp + sfkp < {KQ,KJ} with no sp

Usually in DDB, when an unsuited AKQ is dealt to you, you hold the A by itself. This rule says that if the A is penalized with two separate penalties, one of which (the skfp) is the most severe, then it is less valuable than holding KQ or KJ.

A_ K_ Q_ 9_ 3_ Hold A The 9 is a straight penalty to the KQ
A_ K_ Q_ 8_ 5_ Hold A A 5 is not a kicker penalty
A_ K_ Q_ 8_ 4_ Hold A The kicker penalty has to be suited with A
A_ K_ Q_ 8_ 4_ Hold KQ This is what it takes.

Case 2: A with sfp < (JT) with {no 8p + no 9p + no fp}

Usually an single ace is superior to a suited JT. However, if the JT is relatively unpenalized, and the A is relatively strongly penalized, the suited JT is better.

A_ J_ T_ 8_ 5_ Hold A The 8 penalizes the JT
A_ J_ T_ 7_ 5_ Hold JT The 7 is a weak sp, but that is allowed.
A_ J_ T_ 7_ 4_ Hold JT If a sfp is the minimum penalty strong enough to poison the A. The 4_, which is a sfkp is even stronger, so it works too.,
A_ J_ T_ 7_ 5_ Hold A This 5 is merely a lsp, not a sfp

Case 3: A with kp < (JT) with neither fp nor sp

A kicker penalty doesn't include being a 5, and may or may not include being suited with the A. In net effect, this is a weaker penalty than the sfp. For this reason, any straight penalty to the (JT), including a 7, would be enough to counteract this penalty.

A_ J_ T_ 7_ 3_ Hold A The 7 is a sp to the (JT)
A_ J_ T_ 6_ 5_ Hold A The 5 is not a kp
A_ J_ T_ 6_ 3_ Hold JT This is what is needed

Case 4: A with lsp + fp < (JT) with neither fp no sp

The lsp is the weakest penalty among the four primary ones we are discussing today, so for it to poison the A, it must be paired with another penalty.

A_ J_ T_ 5_ 4_ Hold JT While there is no fp, this fits Case 3 above
A_ J_ T_ 5_ 7_ Hold A The 7 is a sp to the (JT)
A_ J_ T_ 5_ 6_ Hold JT This is what is needed

There is no doubt that these penalties are more complex than many players want to deal with. That's okay. But even if you aren't planning on MASTERING the penalties, knowing what they are and that they exist is part of being a decent video poker player.

I listed locations for this game in last week's column. I received an email saying this game may be found for quarters at Arizona Charlie's Decatur.