Video Poker Decision

A high pair or three to a royal?

Dealt K♠ K♥ Q♠ J♠ 4♦ 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  three to the royal 1.49
The other play costs 0.05 credits per coin in expected value. Small per hand, real over thousands of hands.
A paying high pair edges out three to a royal. Keep the pair.
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Related decisions

With two pair, do you hold both pairs?A low pair or a four-card straight?Four to a flush or a low pair?

Common questions

A high pair or three to a royal?
Hold the high pair, worth 1.54 per coin versus 1.49 for the alternative. A paying high pair edges out three to a royal. 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.