I have seen Skip's card on the game (which is how I'm referring to the
one Jean sells --- a recent post seems to indicate that "toonces"
originally created it --- I don't know who the author actually is, but
it's a nice piece of work), as well as the Dancer/Daily version. Both
are well done and accurate.
The surprising thing about them though is that they are quite a bit
different! They both come up with the same play for any 4-card starting
position, but they get there differently. This is highly unusual in
video poker strategies. Usually the biggest difference between
strategies is the exact notation for such things 3-card straight flushes
with 1 high card and 2 insides. Dan, for example, uses "di" for "double
inside." Other authors use "2i" for the same thing. Daily and I combine
insides and high cards into one composite number. You can get used to
any of these systems. Other differences can include whether or not to
include penalty card situations --- but this is not an issue with
Pick'Em. Other differences include how to consolidate hands (such as is
it necessary to list QJT9, JT98, and 2345-789T separately in Jacks or
Better? They have different EVs, but they are strategically treated
exactly the same.)
But with Pick'Em, Skip's card and the Dancer/Daily card both have clever
ways to consolidate the information into fewer instructions. And they
are different clever ways. Highly unusual.
Bob Dancer
For the best in video poker information, visit www.bobdancer.com
or call 1-800-244-2224 M-F 9-5 Pacific Time.
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