WOO logo

Wizard Recommends

On this page

Pick 'em Poker

Introduction

 

Pick 'em Poker, also known as Pick a Pair Poker, is a simplified version of video poker, in which the player has only two choices, as opposed to 25=32 as in regular video poker. The game is usually found on Bally Game Maker machines under the name Pick 'em Poker, but Action Gaming/IGT also has stand alone games under the name Pick a Pair Poker. It can also be found at Internet casinos using Playtech software.

 

Rules

 

Following are the complete rules for Pick 'em Poker.

 

  1. The game is played with a single 52-card deck
  2. The player makes a bet
  3. The player is given two cards, we'll call them A and B.
  4. Two additional card are dealt, we'll call them C and D.
  5. The player must choose which card, C or D, to add to cards A and B.
  6. Two more cards are dealt from the remaining 48 in the deck to complete a 5 card stud hand, and the player is paid according to the poker value of this hand.

The actual game will show two cards face down under cards C and D, which the player is predestined to get. However mathematically it doesn't matter compared to dealing two random cards off the top of the remaining deck.

Strategy

The following strategy is based on the "Full Pay" pay table, which returns 99.95% under optimal strategy. To use the strategy look up both possible hands and play the higher hand on the list. For example suppose the player's fixed cards were 4♣ 6♣, and he has the choice of 8♣ or 4. The two hands the player must choose from are 3 to a straight flush, with two gaps, and zero high cards; or a low pair. We see the former has an expected value of 1.0949, and the latter of 1.1418. Thus choosing the 4, for the low pair, is the better play.

 

Pick 'em Poker - Full Pay Strategy

EV Hand
10.5869 Three of a Kind
3.1729 Q,J,10 suited
2.8271 3 to a royal, king high
2.6312 High Pair, 99-AA
2.4362 3 to a royal, ace high
2.0027 3 to a straight flush, no gaps, 5 to J high
1.5372 3 to a straight flush, 1 gap, 5 to Q high or 234 suited
1.3936 3 to a straight flush, 2 gaps, 2 or 3 high cards
1.359 3 to a flush with 3 high cards
1.2287 3 to a straight, 0 gaps, 3 high cards
1.1968 3 to a straight flush, 2 gaps, 1 high card
1.1622 3 to a flush with 2 high cards
1.1418 Low Pair, 22-88
1.0949 3 to a straight flush, 2 gaps, 0 high cards
1.039 3 to a straight, 1 gap, 3 high cards
0.9929 3 to a straight, 0 gaps, 2 high cards
0.9654 3 to a flush with 1 high card
0.922 3 to a straight, 2 gaps, 3 high cards
0.8759 3 to a straight, 1 gap, 2 high cards
0.8404 3 to a straight, 0 gaps, 1 high card
0.7686 3 to a flush with 0 high cards
0.766 3 high cards
0.7199 3 to a straight, 2 gaps, 2 high cards
0.6791 3 to a straight, 1 gap, 1 high card
0.5993 3 to a straight, 0 gaps, 5 to 8 high
0.5691 2 high cards
0.523 3 to a straight, 2 gaps, 1 high card
0.4823 3 to a straight, 1 gap, 0 high cards
0.3723 1 high card
0.3262 3 to a straight, 2 gaps, 0 high cards
0.1755 trash

 

Here is the same strategy using standard video poker abreviations for more experienced players.

 

Pick 'em Poker - Full Pay Strategy

EV Hand
10.5869 Three of a Kind
3.1729 QJTs
2.8271 KQJs, KQTs, KJTs
2.6312 High Pair, 99-AA
2.4362 Royal, Ace Hi
2.0027 STFL, Open, 345s-9TJs
1.5372 STFL, 1 Gap, 235s-9TQs, +234s
1.3936 STFL, 2 Gaps, 2 or 3 Hi Cards
1.3590 FL, 3 Hi Cards
1.2287 ST, Open, 3 Hi Cards
1.1968 STFL, 2 Gaps, 1 Hi Card
1.1622 FL, 2 Hi Cards
1.1418 Low Pair, 22-88
1.0949 STFL, 2 Gaps, 0 Hi Cards
1.0390 ST, 1 Gap, 3 Hi Cards
0.9929 ST, Open, 2 Hi Cards
0.9654 FL, 1 Hi Card
0.9220 ST, 2 Gaps, 3 Hi Cards
0.8759 ST, 1 Gap, 2 Hi Cards
0.8404 ST, Open, 1 Hi Card
0.7686 FL, 0 Hi Cards
0.7660 3 Hi Cards
0.7199 ST, 2 Gaps, 2 Hi Cards
0.6791 ST, 1 Gap, 1 Hi Card
0.5993 ST, Open, 0 Hi Cards
0.5691 2 Hi Cards
0.5230 ST, 2 Gaps, 1 Hi Card
0.4823 ST, 1 Gap, 0 Hi Cards
0.3723 1 Hi Card
0.3262 ST, 2 Gaps, 0 Hi Cards
0.1755 0 Hi Cards

 

Strategy created by Video Poker Strategy Master by TomSki.
Thanks Tom for your permission to publish the above table.

 

Return Tables

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 1200 5,208 0.000003 0.003411
Straight Flush 239.8 47,652 0.000026 0.006237
Four of a kind 120 776,112 0.000424 0.050830
Full House 18 4,317,408 0.002356 0.042414
Flush 15 5,842,860 0.003189 0.047833
Straight 11 9,281,412 0.005066 0.055721
Three of a kind 5 54,994,848 0.030015 0.150073
Two pair 3 113,761,152 0.062088 0.186263
Nines of better 2 418,444,104 0.228375 0.456750
Nonpaying hand 0 1,224,796,044 0.668459 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.999531

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 239.8 47,652 0.000026 0.006237
Four of a kind 120 775,680 0.000423 0.050801
Full House 18 4,313,520 0.002354 0.042376
Flush 15 5,861,868 0.003199 0.047989
Straight 10 9,287,892 0.005069 0.050691
Three of a kind 5 54,960,720 0.029996 0.149980
Two pair 3 113,687,280 0.062047 0.186142
Nines of better 2 418,227,240 0.228257 0.456513
Nonpaying hand 0 1,225,099,308 0.668625 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.996885

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 1200 434 0.000003 0.003411
Straight Flush 239.8 3,971 0.000026 0.006237
Four of a kind 120 64,676 0.000424 0.050830
Full House 18 359,784 0.002356 0.042414
Flush 15 486,905 0.003189 0.047833
Straight 10 773,451 0.005066 0.050655
Three of a kind 5 4,582,904 0.030015 0.150073
Two pair 3 9,480,096 0.062088 0.186263
Nines of better 2 34,870,342 0.228375 0.456750
Nonpaying hand 0 102,066,337 0.668459 0.000000
Total   152,688,900 1.000000 0.994466

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal flush 1000 434 0.000003 0.002842
Straight flush 200 3,971 0.000026 0.005201
Four of a kind 100 64,676 0.000424 0.042358
Full house 18 359,784 0.002356 0.042414
Flush 15 486,905 0.003189 0.047833
Straight 11 773,451 0.005066 0.055721
Three of a kind 5 4,582,904 0.030015 0.150073
Two pair 3 9,480,096 0.062088 0.186263
Nines or better 2 34,870,342 0.228375 0.456750
Nothing 0 102,066,337 0.668459 0.000000
Total   152,688,900 1.000000 0.989456

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 200 47,652 0.000026 0.005201
Four of a kind 100 775,680 0.000423 0.042334
Full House 18 4,313,520 0.002354 0.042376
Flush 15 5,861,868 0.003199 0.047989
Straight 10 9,287,892 0.005069 0.050691
Three of a kind 5 54,960,720 0.029996 0.149980
Two pair 3 113,687,280 0.062047 0.186142
Nines of better 2 418,227,240 0.228257 0.456513
Nonpaying hand 0 1,225,099,308 0.668625 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.987383

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 1200 5,208 0.000003 0.003411
Straight Flush 239.8 47,652 0.000026 0.006237
Four of a kind 120 776,112 0.000424 0.050830
Full House 15 4,317,408 0.002356 0.035345
Flush 15 5,842,860 0.003189 0.047833
Straight 10 9,281,412 0.005066 0.050655
Three of a kind 5 54,994,848 0.030015 0.150073
Two pair 3 113,761,152 0.062088 0.186263
Nines of better 2 418,444,104 0.228375 0.456750
Nonpaying hand 0 1,224,796,044 0.668459 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.987397

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 50 44,632 0.000024 0.001218
Four of a kind 100 776,904 0.000424 0.042401
Full House 18 4,324,536 0.002360 0.042484
Flush 15 5,809,808 0.003171 0.047562
Straight 10 9,242,592 0.005044 0.050443
Three of a kind 5 55,057,416 0.030049 0.150244
Two pair 3 113,896,584 0.062162 0.186485
Nines of better 2 418,248,384 0.228268 0.456537
Nonpaying hand 0 1,224,860,304 0.668495 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.983531


 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 50 46,504 0.000025 0.001269
Four of a kind 120 775,680 0.000423 0.050801
Full House 18 4,313,520 0.002354 0.042376
Flush 15 5,863,016 0.003200 0.047998
Straight 11 9,270,672 0.005060 0.055656
Three of a kind 4 54,960,720 0.029996 0.119984
Two pair 3 113,687,280 0.062047 0.186142
Nines of better 2 418,358,112 0.228328 0.456656
Nonpaying hand 0 1,224,985,656 0.668563 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.967039

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 239.8 48,300 0.000026 0.006321
Four of a kind 120 775,032 0.000423 0.050759
Full House 18 4,307,688 0.002351 0.042318
Flush 15 5,890,380 0.003215 0.048222
Straight 10 9,297,612 0.005074 0.050744
Three of a kind 4 54,909,528 0.029968 0.119872
Two pair 3 113,576,472 0.061987 0.185961
Nines of better 2 418,250,568 0.228269 0.456539
Nonpaying hand 0 1,225,205,580 0.668683 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.966893

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 50 46,504 0.000025 0.001269
Four of a kind 120 775,680 0.000423 0.050801
Full House 18 4,313,520 0.002354 0.042376
Flush 15 5,863,016 0.003200 0.047998
Straight 10 9,270,672 0.005060 0.050597
Three of a kind 4 54,960,720 0.029996 0.119984
Two pair 3 113,687,280 0.062047 0.186142
Nines of better 2 418,358,112 0.228328 0.456656
Nonpaying hand 0 1,224,985,656 0.668563 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.961979

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 200 47,652 0.000026 0.005201
Four of a kind 100 775,680 0.000423 0.042334
Full House 18 4,313,520 0.002354 0.042376
Flush 15 5,861,868 0.003199 0.047989
Straight 10 9,287,892 0.005069 0.050691
Three of a kind 4 54,960,720 0.029996 0.119984
Two pair 3 113,687,280 0.062047 0.186142
Nines of better 2 418,227,240 0.228257 0.456513
Nonpaying hand 0 1,225,099,308 0.668625 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.957387

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Natural royal 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Four deuces plus ace 800 5,604 0.000003 0.002447
Four deuces 400 55,308 0.000030 0.012074
Wild royal 100 619,800 0.000338 0.033827
Five of a kind 50 793,008 0.000433 0.021640
Straight flush 20 2,466,096 0.001346 0.026919
Four of a kind 9 34,169,592 0.018649 0.167839
Full house 6 13,155,048 0.007180 0.043078
Flush 4 15,237,456 0.008316 0.033265
Straight 3 59,639,496 0.032550 0.097649
Three of a kind 2 316,354,356 0.172657 0.345315
Two pair 2 79,966,440 0.043643 0.087287
Pair of aces 1 179,762,568 0.098109 0.098109
Nothing 0 1,130,036,388 0.616742 0.000000
Total 0 1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.975605

 

Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
Royal Flush 2000 5,640 0.000003 0.006156
Straight Flush 200 47,052 0.000026 0.005136
Four A + 2-4 800 16,524 0.000009 0.007215
Four 2-4 + A-4 400 48,684 0.000027 0.010628
Four A 400 44,244 0.000024 0.009659
Four 2-4 200 130,812 0.000071 0.014279
Four 5-K 100 538,248 0.000294 0.029376
Full House 18 4,339,008 0.002368 0.042626
Flush 15 5,748,528 0.003137 0.047061
Straight 11 9,581,868 0.005230 0.057525
Three of a kind 6 55,184,448 0.030118 0.180709
Two pair 3 114,171,552 0.062312 0.186935
Pair: J-A 2 281,784,408 0.153790 0.307580
Pair: 9-10 1 133,447,728 0.072832 0.072832
Nonpaying hand 0 1,227,178,056 0.669759 0.000000
Total   1,832,266,800 1.000000 0.977716

 

My Video Poker Offerings

Basic Video Poker Info

Practice / Play Video Poker for Free

Video Poker Calculator

  • Analyze the return for almost any video poker paytable

Other Stuff

Strategies

Full-Pay Jacks or Better:

Full-Pay Deuces Wild:

Quick Quads:

Other Strategies:

Written by: Michael Shackleford