This section contains my evaluation of Chase the Royal video poker. Here are the rules to play:
This game is rooted in traditional video poker mechanics. Players can select from four different variations and can opt for 3-play, 5-play, or 10-play formats.
When dealt a pair of jacks, queens, or kings with a maximum coin bet, players have the option to swap their high pair for three cards aiming for a royal flush. This 'Chase the Royal' feature is not available if the pair forms part of a stronger hand, like two pairs, or if the player holds four cards towards either a straight or a royal flush.
The three cards aimed at forming a royal flush are drawn randomly from a pool of 40 options (derived from 4 suits and the selection of 3 ranks out of 5). Players are allowed to preview these three cards before making the decision to switch.
If a player chooses to pursue the royal, the remaining two cards are dealt immediately from the rest of the 49 cards left in the deck.
To encourage players to chase the royal, achieving a straight pays out 10, while a flush rewards 12 in this mode.
Hitting a royal flush pays out a whopping 2000 instead of the regular 800 based on a coin bet.
Strategy
Similar to traditional video poker, players should always look for the most favorable pay table and utilize optimal strategies. If presented with the chance to chase the royal, the player should seize the opportunity without hesitation.
On average, players can expect to achieve 4.39 times as many royal flushes compared to conventional video poker, though at the cost of receiving fewer lower-paying hands. The standard deviation is notably high at 9.15 for a 9/6/5 double bonus, in contrast to the typical 5.55 for the same variant. This game is particularly appealing to those who prioritize thrill over managing their bankroll.
Jacks or Better
Chase the Royal — 6/5 Jacks or Better
Hand
Pays
Probability
Return
Dealt Royal Flush
2000
0.000002
0.003078
Royal Flush
800
0.000106
0.084992
Straight flush
50
0.000149
0.007472
Four of a kind
25
0.002092
0.05229
Full house
6
0.010519
0.063113
Flush
12
0.003606
0.043267
Flush
5
0.010911
0.054556
Straight
10
0.001865
0.018649
Straight
4
0.011283
0.045134
3 of a kind
3
0.06403
0.192091
2 pair
2
0.115907
0.231814
Pair
1
0.170233
0.170233
Nothing
0
0.609297
0
Total
1
0.966689
Triple Bonus
Chase the Royal — 8/5 Triple Bonus
Hand
Pays
Probability
Return
Dealt Royal Flush
2000
0.000002
0.003078
Royal flush
800
0.000108
0.086187
Straight flush
50
0.000148
0.00742
4 aces + 2-4
800
0.000071
0.056458
4 2-4 + A-4
400
0.000173
0.069043
4 aces + 5-K
160
0.00015
0.023953
4 2-4 + 5-K
80
0.00032
0.025622
4 5-K
50
0.001348
0.067387
Full house
8
0.009521
0.076164
Flush
12
0.003606
0.043267
Flush
5
0.011
0.054999
Straight
10
0.001865
0.018649
Straight
4
0.013745
0.054981
3 of a kind
2
0.064745
0.129491
Two pair
1
0.108976
0.108976
Jacks or better
1
0.165734
0.165734
Nothing
0
0.61849
0
Total
1
0.99141
Double Double Bonus
Chase the Royal — 8/5 Double Double Bonus
Hand
Pays
Probability
Return
Dealt Royal Flush
2000
0.000002
0.003078
Royal flush
800
0.000106
0.085045
Straight flush
50
0.000148
0.007422
4 aces + 2-4
400
0.000062
0.024632
4 2-4 + A-4
160
0.000143
0.022911
4 aces + 5-K
160
0.000173
0.027752
4 2-4 + 5-K
80
0.000384
0.030754
4 5-K
50
0.001362
0.068089
Full house
8
0.009876
0.079006
Flush
12
0.003606
0.043267
Flush
5
0.010985
0.054926
Straight
10
0.001865
0.018649
Straight
4
0.012951
0.051804
3 of a kind
3
0.064935
0.194806
Two pair
1
0.109796
0.109796
Jacks or better
1
0.167249
0.167249
Nothing
0
0.616357
0
Total
1
0.989186
Bonus Poker Deluxe
Chase the Royal — 6/5 Bonus Poker Deluxe
Hand
Pays
Probability
Return
Dealt Royal Flush
2000
0.000002
0.003078
Royal flush
800
0.000106
0.084818
Straight flush
50
0.00015
0.007476
4 of a kind
80
0.00222
0.177599
Full house
6
0.007228
0.043368
Flush
12
0.003606
0.043267
Flush
5
0.010861
0.054306
Straight
10
0.001865
0.018649
Straight
4
0.013057
0.052227
3 of a kind
3
0.067824
0.203471
2 pair
1
0.095637
0.095637
Pair
1
0.184907
0.184907
Nothing
0
0.612539
0
Total
1
0.968803
7/5/4 Double Bonus
Chase the Royal — 7/5/4 Double Bonus
Hand
Pays
Probability
Return
Dealt Royal Flush
2000
0.000002
0.003078
Royal flush
800
0.000106
0.085072
Straight flush
50
0.00015
0.00749
4 aces
160
0.000224
0.035842
4 2-4
80
0.000527
0.042161
4 5-K
50
0.001363
0.06815
Full house
7
0.009844
0.068905
Flush
12
0.003606
0.043267
Flush
5
0.010919
0.054593
Straight
10
0.001865
0.018649
Straight
4
0.013101
0.052404
3 of a kind
3
0.064577
0.193732
Two pair
1
0.109409
0.109409
Jacks or better
1
0.170623
0.170623
Nothing
0
0.613686
0
Total
1
0.953376
Other Games
The following table outlines the expected returns when utilizing optimal strategies across various Chase the Royal games and different pay tables.