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Flex Change Poker

Introduction

Flex Change Poker is a video poker The variation I came across during my visit to the Wynn Las Vegas on November 5, 2015. The idea is that participants aim to create two winning poker hands. Players have the ability to swap cards between these hands as they are dealt to enhance their odds.

Rules

  1. A single 52-card deck is used.
  2. Participants need to place two identical bets on two different video poker hands. Each hand allows a maximum wager of five credits, so a complete bet would total ten credits.
  3. As part of the game, two cards will be dealt to each of the two hands.
  4. Players have the option to swap the second card dealt to either hand.
  5. A third card will subsequently be dealt to both hands.
  6. Again, players can decide to switch the third card for either hand.
  7. The game evaluates and rewards players based on the poker value of each completed three-card hand.
  8. The game will deal two more cards.
  9. To optimize the overall payout, the game will automatically arrange these cards in one of four potential combinations.
    • The fourth card is given to the upper hand while the fifth card is assigned to the lower hand, creating two hands of four cards each.
    • The bottom hand receives the fourth card, while the fifth card goes to the top hand, resulting in two four-card combinations.
    • Both cards dealt to top hand.
    • Both cards dealt to bottom hand.
  10. The final score for the two hands depends on whether they consist of four or five cards.

If my explanation was unclear, here are the rule screens straight from the actual game.

   

Example

The image provided depicts my initial set of cards. I had the option to switch the 5 of hearts with the 3 of spades.

I decided to utilize my option to swap cards in order to boost my chances of achieving a flush and a straight flush on the lower hand, along with a straight on both hands.

Third cards were then drawn for each hand. Yet again, I had the choice to switch them.

I opted to switch once more, resulting in a pair on the top hand and a flush on the bottom hand. The three-card flush awarded me five credits.

The last two cards drawn were both fives. The game placed these cards on the lower hand, giving me three of a kind, which resulted in a payout of 25 credits.

Analysis

The next three tables illustrate potential pay tables for Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, and Kings or Better. The screenshots were captured at Wynn Las Vegas, all configured to the third loosest setting among four options.

The table below presents the pay tables available for Double Bonus. The final row indicates the total return based on optimal player strategy.

Double Bonus

Cards Hand Pay Table 1 Pay Table 2 Pay Table 3 Pay Table 4
3 ROYAL FLUSH 33 33 33 30
3 STRAIGHT FLUSH 10 10 9 9
3 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
3 STRAIGHT 1 1 1 1
3 FLUSH 1 1 1 1
4 ROYAL FLUSH 160 160 160 160
4 FOUR ACES 160 160 160 160
4 FOUR 2's, 3's, 4's 80 80 80 80
4 FOUR 5's THROUGH K's 50 50 50 50
4 STRAIGHT FLUSH 30 30 30 30
4 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
4 STRAIGHT 4 4 4 4
4 FLUSH 3 3 3 3
4 TWO PAIR 2 2 2 2
4 KINGS OR BETTER 1 1 1 1
5 ROYAL FLUSH 4000 4000 4000 4000
5 STRAIGHT FLUSH 250 250 200 200
5 FOUR ACES 160 160 160 160
5 FOUR 2's, 3's, 4's 80 80 80 80
5 FOUR 5's THROUGH K's 50 50 50 50
5 FULL HOUSE 12 10 10 9
5 FLUSH 9 8 8 7
5 STRAIGHT 6 6 6 6
5 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
5 TWO PAIR 2 2 2 2
5 KINGS OR BETTER 1 1 1 1
3 Return 19.99% 20.03% 19.30% 19.10%
4 Return 32.71% 32.74% 33.48% 33.74%
5 Return 46.89% 45.84% 44.89% 43.91%
Total Return 99.59% 98.61% 97.67% 96.75%

The following table outlines the pay tables for Double Double Bonus. The bottom line reflects the total return given an optimal player strategy.

Double Double Bonus

Cards Pay Table 1 Pay Table 2 Pay Table 3 Pay Table 4
3 ROYAL FLUSH 30 30 30 30
3 STRAIGHT FLUSH 10 10 9 9
3 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
3 STRAIGHT 1 1 1 1
3 FLUSH 1 1 1 1
4 ROYAL FLUSH 160 160 160 160
4 FOUR ACES 160 160 160 160
4 FOUR 2's, 3's, 4's 80 80 80 80
4 FOUR 5's THROUGH K's 50 50 50 50
4 STRAIGHT FLUSH 30 30 30 25
4 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
4 STRAIGHT 4 4 4 4
4 FLUSH 3 3 3 3
4 TWO PAIR 2 2 2 2
4 KINGS OR BETTER 1 1 1 1
5 ROYAL FLUSH 4000 4000 4000 4000
5 FOUR A's + ANY 2, 3 OR 4 400 400 400 400
5 STRAIGHT FLUSH 250 250 250 200
5 FOUR 2's, 3's, 4's + ANY A, 2, 3, 4 160 160 160 160
5 FOUR ACES 160 160 160 160
5 FOUR 2's, 3's, 4's 80 80 80 80
5 FOUR 5's THROUGH K's 50 50 50 50
5 FULL HOUSE 12 10 9 8
5 FLUSH 8 7 7 7
5 STRAIGHT 6 6 6 6
5 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
3 Return 19.74% 19.77% 19.07% 19.06%
4 Return 32.84% 32.83% 33.54% 33.05%
5 Return 46.94% 45.94% 44.99% 44.49%
Total Return 99.51% 98.54% 97.61% 96.60%

The upcoming table shows the pay tables for Kings or Better, with the final row displaying total returns assuming the best player strategy.

Kings or Better

Cards Pay Table 1 Pay Table 2 Pay Table 3 Pay Table 4
3 ROYAL FLUSH 30 30 30 30
3 STRAIGHT FLUSH 10 10 10 10
3 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
3 STRAIGHT 1 1 1 1
3 FLUSH 1 1 1 1
4 ROYAL FLUSH 150 150 150 150
4 FOUR OF A KIND 60 50 50 50
4 STRAIGHT FLUSH 30 30 30 30
4 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
4 STRAIGHT 4 4 4 4
4 FLUSH 3 3 3 3
4 TWO PAIR 2 2 2 2
4 KINGS OR BETTER 1 1 1 1
5 ROYAL FLUSH 4000 4000 4000 4000
5 STRAIGHT FLUSH 250 250 200 200
5 FOUR OF A KIND 60 50 50 50
5 FULL HOUSE 12 12 11 9
5 FLUSH 9 8 8 7
5 STRAIGHT 7 7 6 6
5 THREE OF A KIND 5 5 5 5
5 TWO PAIR 2 2 2 2
5 KINGS OR BETTER 1 1 1 1
5 ANY OTHER WIN 0 0 0 0
3 Return 19.82% 19.86% 19.85% 19.89%
4 Return 32.44% 32.13% 32.27% 32.26%
5 Return 47.27% 46.50% 45.28% 44.28%
Total Return 99.53% 98.49% 97.39% 96.43%

Strategy

I'm afraid you're responsible for that on your own for the time being.

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my gratitude to IGT for providing the pay tables and returns displayed in the tables above.


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