Video Poker Decision

A high pair or a four-card flush?

Dealt K♠ K♥ 2♠ 7♠ 9♠ in 9/6 Jacks or Better. Here is the correct play and exactly what the alternative costs.

Hold the high pair
the high pair 1.54  vs  the flush draw 1.19
The other play costs 0.35 credits per coin in expected value. Small per hand, real over thousands of hands.
A paying high pair outranks a four-card flush. Keep the pair.
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Four to a straight flush or a high pair?With two pair, do you hold both pairs?Four to a flush or a low pair?

Common questions

A high pair or a four-card flush?
Hold the high pair, worth 1.54 per coin versus 1.19 for the alternative. A paying high pair outranks a four-card flush. Keep the pair.
Is this the same on every machine?
These figures are 9/6 Jacks or Better. The order holds across most Jacks or Better tables; bonus and Deuces Wild games can change close calls. Match your machine on the strategy pages.