Video poker players who are fairly new to the game (or who play infrequently) regularly send me questions about all facets of video poker play. One of the more common questions involves when to hold a “kicker” of a 2, 3, or 4 when the dealt hand contains two or three Aces. This article explores that question.
Contents
- What a “kicker” is and what it does
- Video poker games where Aces with a kicker matter
- When to hold and when not to hold a kicker
- Summary
What a “kicker” is and what it does
A kicker is a card that, when added to specific four-of-a-kind hands, greatly increases the amount won. In most games that have kickers, a hand with a four of a kind along with a kicker will pay two to five times what the same four of a kind without a kicker pays.
For example, in most games that have kickers:
- A hand containing four Aces would require a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 to win the higher payout.
- A hand containing four 2s, 3s, or 4s would require a kicker of an Ace, 2, 3, or 4 to win the higher payout.
Not all video poker games in a casino have winning hands that include a kicker. Some examples of jacks or better-based video poker games where no winning hands have a kicker:
- Jacks or Better
- Bonus Poker
- Bonus Poker Deluxe
- Double Bonus Poker
- Royal Aces Bonus
- Triple Bonus Poker
- Super Double Bonus
- Aces and Faces
- Double Aces and Faces
It takes a special class of video poker casino game that offers substantial winnings for certain hands before a kicker becomes part of the winningest hands. These games include:
- Double Double Bonus
- Super Double Double Bonus
- Triple Double Bonus
- Double Double Aces and Faces
In general, only games whose names include two multipliers (for example, double double or triple double) have kickers.
Video poker games where Aces with a kicker matter
The actual number of games that have kickers is very small compared to the total number of video poker games.
This article covers only games video poker strategy that can be commonly found. There are four of them:
- Double Double Bonus
- Super Double Double Bonus
- Triple Double Bonus
- Double Double Aces and Faces
When to hold and when not to hold a kicker
Regardless of the game played, a kicker is never held with only two of a four of a kind in the dealt hand.
Each game will be examined separately and, in the order presented above.
Double Double Bonus
This is the most common game currently available in casinos. The typical partial pay table for four-of-a-kinds (5 credits bet):
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| Four Aces w/ 2, 3, 4 | 2000 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s w/ A, 2, 3, 4 | 800 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 400 |
| Four 5s thru Ks | 250 |
The only three-of-a-kind hands for this game that would qualify for holding a kicker would be Aces, 2s, 3s, or 4s.
Three Aces and a 2, 3, or 4 dealt – example hand As Ac Ah 4d 8s:
- Holding As Ac Ad returns 62.44 credits on average for five credits played.
- Holding As Ac Ad 4d returns 59.14 credits.
- Holding As Ac Ah 4d 8s returns 33.61 credits.
Holding three Aces without the kicker is superior because of the additional possibilities of getting four Aces and a kicker. Holding the 4 kicker limits the possibilities to one as there is only one card left in the deck that complete the hand – the Ace of diamonds. Without the 4, however, the additional kickers of 2, 3, and 4 can come into play – an additional 11 cards.
Super Double Double Bonus
The typical Super Double Double Bonus partial pay table for four-of-a-kinds (5 credits bet):
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
|
Four Aces w/ 2, 3, 4 |
2000 |
| Four Aces w/ J, Q, K | 1600 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s w/ A, 2, 3, 4 | 800 |
| Four J, Q, K w/ J, Q, K, A | 800 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 400 |
| Four 5s thru Ks | 250 |
The only three-of-a-kind hands for this game that would qualify for holding a kicker would be Aces, Jacks, Queens, Kings, 2s, 3s, or 4s.
Three Aces and a 2, 3, or 4 dealt – example hand As Ac Ah 4d 8s:
- Holding As Ac Ad returns 70.71 credits on average for five credits played.
- Holding As Ac Ad 4d returns 58.51 credits.
- Holding As Ac Ah 8s returns 32.97 credits.
Holding three Aces without the low kicker is superior because of the additional possibilities of getting four Aces and a kicker. Holding the 4 kicker limits the possibilities to one as there is only one card left in the deck that complete the hand – the Ace of diamonds. Without the 4, however, the additional kickers of 2, 3, 4, J, Q, and K can come into play – an additional 23 cards.
Three Aces and a J, Q, or K dealt – example hand As Ac Ah Jd 8s:
- Holding As Ac Ad returns 71.08 credits on average for five credits played.
- Holding As Ac Ad Jd returns 50 credits.
- Holding As Ac Ah 8s returns 32.97 credits as in the first example.
Holding three Aces without the high kicker is superior because of the additional possibilities of getting four Aces and a kicker. Holding the Jack kicker limits the possibilities to one as there is only one card left in the deck that complete the hand – the Ace of diamonds. Without the Jack the additional kickers of 2, 3, 4, J, Q, and K can come into play – an additional 23 cards.
If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to win at slots. Other topics that might interest you include blackjack strategy and roulette strategy.
Triple Double Bonus
The typical Triple Double Bonus partial pay table for four-of-a-kinds (5 credits bet):
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| Four Aces w/ 2, 3, 4 | 4000 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s w/ A, 2, 3, 4 | 2000 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
|
Four 2s, 3s, 4s |
400 |
| Four 5s thru Ks | 250 |
The only three-of-a-kind hands for this game that would qualify for holding a kicker would be Aces, 2s, 3s, or 4s. Notice that the pays for four of a kinds with a kicker pay much better than in either of the previous two games. Is this an indication that holding a kicker with three Aces, 2s, 3s, or 4s might be the proper play? Let’s see.
Three Aces and a 2, 3, or 4 dealt – example hand As Ac Ah 4d 8s:
- Holding As Ac Ad returns 78.31 credits on average for five credits played.
- Holding As Ac Ad 4d returns 97.12 credits.
- Holding As Ac Ah 8s returns 29.04 credits.
For this game, holding three Aces with the kicker is superior because of the much higher pay for four Aces with a kicker.
Double Double Aces and Faces
This game is not as commonly available in casinos. The typical partial pay table for four-of-a-kinds (5 credits bet):
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| Four Aces w/ J, Q, K | 2000 |
| Four Js, Qs, Ks w/ A, J, Q, K | 800 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 400 |
| Four 5s thru Ks | 250 |
The only three of a kind hands for this game that would qualify for holding a kicker would be Aces, Js, Qs, or Ks.
Three Aces and a J, Q, or K dealt – example hand As Ac Ah Jd 8s:
- Holding As Ac Ad returns 62.44 credits on average for five credits played.
- Holding As Ac Ad Jd returns 59.14 credits.
- Holding As Ac Ah Jd 8s returns 33.61 credits.
It should come as no surprise that the results for this game are the same as for Double Double Bonus. The pay table is the same. The only difference is J, Q and K replace the 2, 3, or 4 as a kicker.
Summary
There should be little question among video poker players of the “Two Multiplier” games. Except for Triple Double Bonus, never hold a kicker with three dealt Aces.
