Blackjack newsletter and blackjack strategySubscribe to the Blackjack Insider newsletter

BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT E-BOOKS BY BJI AUTHOR KEN SMITH!
How to Win EVEN MORE Blackjack Tournaments - Volume II... only $14.95. Ken Smith's second e-book on tournament blackjack contains more of his winning strategies that have made him one of the best tournament blackjack players in the world.

Or, purchase both Volume I and Volume II together for $24.95... over 15% off!

NEW! Read how Ken used skill to win a recent blackjack tournament. Get his books and you could too!

How To Win EVEN MORE Blackjack Tournaments - Volume II
(web ads above removed with paid membership. Click here for advertisement rates)

STICKMAN'S STANCE: QUICK QUAD VIDEO POKER

by Jerry "Stickman"

Jerry "Stickman" is an expert in craps, blackjack, video poker and advantage slot machine play. Frank Scoblete's and Jerry "Stickman's" book "Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker" presents dozens of video poker games and strategies for maximum returns. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. You can contact Jerry "Stickman" at stickmanjerry@aol.com.

This is the fourth article in a series. This month, Quick Quads Video Poker is examined. This game is explored for strengths and weaknesses, pluses and minuses. Hopefully you will use this information to make intelligent choices concerning video poker games you choose to play.

Description

video poker

Quick Quads Video Poker is a variation of standard video poker. Introduced by IGT and Action Gaming in 2008, Quick Quads plays as a standard video poker game with up to five credits played. However, once a sixth credit per line is bet a very powerful feature is activated. When a three-of-a-kind is dealt, normally the fourth card of the same rank is the only card that will produce a four-of-a-kind. With the "quick quad" feature activated, the fourth card of the same rank as well as any two cards that total up to the rank of the other three cards also scores as a four-of-a-kind. With the quick quads feature activated, if you are dealt three 9's, a four-of-a-kind winner will be paid if you draw the fourth 9, or if the other two cards total nine. So, rather than just one card (the last 9) being eligible to complete the four-of-a-kind, an ace-8, 2-7, 3-6, or 4-5 will also pay the same amount, dramatically improving the odds of completing this profitable hand.

Only four-of-a-kinds of 2 through 10 are eligible for quick quad consideration. Also, in order to complete the hand as a quick quad, the other two cards must be under a 10 and aces always count as one.

Please note that if the final hand is a full house as well as a quick quad (ex: 44422), the hand is paid as a four-of-a-kind.

Quick Quads is available in most of the popular video poker game versions such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, Triple Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus, and Triple Bonus Poker Plus.

Initially, Quick Quads was only available in a multiline format of three or five lines. Now single line versions are available, though you may have to look for them a bit.

Pay Tables

The pay tables for Quick Quads are a bit different than for the standard game. Pay tables for 9/6 Jacks or Better standard and Quick Quads are shown below.

Hand

Standard Pays

Quick Quads Pays

Overall Return

99.54%

99.61%

Royal Flush

800

800

Straight Flush

50

50

4 of a Kind

25

47.2

Full House

9

9

Flush

6

6

Straight

4

4

3 of Kind

3

3

Two Pair

2

2

Jacks or Better

1

1

Returns

Notice that the pays are the same for both games with the exception of the four-of-a-kind. Quick Quads pays nearly twice as much thanks to the extra completion possibilities. Also notice that the overall return is only slightly higher for Quick Quads. What must be remembered is even though the pays listed are the same, Quick Quads requires six credits before the additional quads come into play. The following table shows the relative return by hand, factoring in the six credits required to activate the Quick Quads feature.

Hand

Standard Returns

Quick Quads Returns

Overall Return

99.54%

99.61%

Royal Flush

1.98%

1.68%

Straight Flush

0.55%

0.46%

4 of a Kind

5.91%

24.07%

Full House

10.36%

8.13%

Flush

6.61%

5.55%

Straight

4.49%

3.69%

3 of Kind

22.33%

17.07%

Two Pair

25.86%

21.53%

Jacks or Better

21.46%

17.43%

This table clearly shows that even though Quick Quads four-of-a-kinds amount to almost a quarter of the total return, every other hand returns less per credit.

The extra credit required to play Quick Quads causes the bankroll requirements to increase. Make sure you are properly bankrolled should you choose to play.

Strategy

It may not be apparent from a casual glance at the pay tables and a basic understanding of how the game is played, but the strategy for quick quads is quite different from that for the standard version of the game. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, every hand other than the four-of-a-kind has a reduced return. Second, and most importantly, four-of-a-kinds can be made in many more ways. This means that three-of-a-kinds are more important. Three-of-a-kinds with a kicker (a card that can be combined with another to add up to one of the three like cards) are even more important.

While there is only one strategy line for three-of-a-kind in the standard 9/6 Jacks or Better game, there are two in Quick Quads - three-of-a-kind with a kicker, and three-of-a-kind without a kicker.

Certain two pair hands also become more important - any that can become a quick quad by matching one of the pairs. These hands are AA22, 2244, 3366, 4488, and 55TT.

Select single pairs with a kicker (or kickers) also take on greater importance.

These are listed below.

  • 33 with A2
  • 44 with A3
  • 55 with A4 or 23
  • 66 with A5 or 24
  • 77 with A5, 25, or 34
  • 88 with A7, 26, or 35
  • 99 with A8, 27, 36, or 45
  • TT with A9, 28, 37, or 46
  • 22 with A
  • 33 with A or 2
  • 44 with A or 3

If all of the additional concerns above are not enough for you, hands containing three to a flush that could result in a quick quad are also included in the strategy.

  • A56
  • A67
  • A78
  • A89
  • A9T
  • 257
  • 268
  • 279
  • 28T
  • 358
  • 369
  • 37T
  • 459
  • 46T

Yes, Quick Quads strategy is significantly more complex than that for the standard game. The Wizard of Odds site, www.wizardofodds.com has strategies for both games mentioned above (as well as several others). As an indication of relative complexity, his strategy for standard 9/6 Jacks or Better contains 36 lines. The strategy for 9/6 Jacks or Better Quick Quads contains 50 lines - almost 40 percent more lines.

You can check out these strategies at these links:

Standard 9/6 Jacks or Better: www.wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/strategy/jacks-or-better/9-6/optimal/

Quick Quads 9/6 Jacks or Better: www.wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/strategy/quick-quads/jacks-or-better/9-6/

Positives

Playing Quick Quads can be a lot of fun. The game loudly announces each time you score a Quick Quads four-of-a-kind which adds to the fun and excitement. Here are many, many more quads produced in Quick Quads. The return of the game is slightly more than the equivalent standard version of the game.

Negatives

Single line versions of the game are somewhat limited. The additional credit required to activate the Quick Quad feature means bankroll requirements are increased. The strategy is significantly more complex than the strategy for the standard version of the game.

One last caution - make sure to check the entire pay table to make sure you are playing a game with a decent return. It makes no sense to play Quick Quads at a one, two, or more percent disadvantage over the standard games that may be available in the same casino. Vigilance always pays off.

If you can find a Quick Quads game with a decent return, if you have an adequate bankroll, and if you have the proper strategy mastered, Quick Quads will be fun, exciting, and profitable as well.

So, until next time,

All the best in your casino and life endeavors.

©2015, DeepNet Technologies. No material to be copied without express permission of DeepNet Technologies.
This site developed by DeepNet Technologies, Ontario, Canada. Contact webmaster @ bjinsider . com if you have problems.
This site is best viewed in a 800x600 graphics mode, or higher.