Gambling Guide
Ask the Wizard #62
Larry from Somerset, New Jersey
I doubt I’m directly responsible but it could be argued that gambling experts like me (Bob Dancer in particular) are what ruined video poker. However if it weren’t for the experts teaching proper strategy then only the experts would know how to play properly.
Donald from Watervliet, USA
Thanks for the compliment. Let’s let c equal the track cut. If the odds closed at 5-2 then:
(577889*(1-c)-125353)/125353 = 2.5
577889*(1-c)-125353=313382.5
577889*(1-c)=438735.5
1-c=0.7592
c=0.2408
So the track cut was 24%. For a futures bet this is not unusual. This illustrates why futures are a bad bet.
Mr. D from Cherry Hill, USA
For the benefit of my readers, this question asks what is the probability of filling in a one or two gap inside straight with two more cards, with 47 left in the deck. With one gap the probability is 1-combin(43,2)/combin(47,2) = 0.164662. With two gaps the probability is 42/combin(47,2)=0.0148.
1) three unsuited cards (A-K-Q and K-Q-J for example)
2) low connected straight flush cards (3-4-5)
3) something like J-10-7 of diamonds, spread of 5.
Thanks Mike, great site as usual (I’ll say it every time)
Jason from Vancouver, Canada
Thanks for the compliment. First, you’re supposed to "let it ride" with suited 3-4-5 (three consecutive suited cards) and suited 7-10-J (three to a straight flush with 2 high cards and 2 gaps). My own strategy states this. Here is the effect on your expected return for each of the other hands, measured in units. For example if you bet three units of $1 raising on unsuited A-K-Q would cost you 18.62 cents.
Unsuited A-K-Q: -0.186224
Unsuited K-Q-J: -0.104592
Steve from Solva, United Kingdom
The number of hands doesn’t matter. The probability is 2*(4/13)*(8/103) = 0.0478.
