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EXACT ANSWER · 9/6 JACKS OR BETTER

High pair or 4 to a flush?

Keep the high pair. Exact EVs on 9/6 Jacks or Better: a pair of jacks is worth 1.5365 per coin vs 1.2553 for the flush draw — guaranteed money beats the 19% draw.

The exact numbers — J♣ J♦ 4♦ 8♦ Q♦

HoldEV per coinvs best
High pair (J♣ J♦)1.5365best
Pair + one suited (J♣ J♦ 4♦)1.4163−0.1203
4 to a flush (J♦ 4♦ 8♦ Q♦)1.2553−0.2812

EVs are exact — every possible draw enumerated, not simulated — at max bet on 9/6 Jacks or Better. Check it yourself: the analyzer runs the same solver in your browser.

See all 32 holds of this hand ranked

Why

The high pair already pays even money before the draw starts — you're freerolling on trips, two pair, and quads. Breaking a made even-money hand for a 9-out draw is paying full price for something you already own a piece of. (The one exception in the whole game: 4 to a ROYAL outranks the pair.)

Chart line #6 of 18 (high pair) vs #8 (4 to a flush). See the full solver-optimized strategy chart, or drill hands with exact-EV feedback until plays like this are automatic.

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