Stack the Deck Poker

Introduction

No, 'Stack the Deck Poker' does not involve playing video poker with cards depicting 'stacked' scantily clad women. Instead, this game allows players to pay an additional two coins for each hand in multi-play poker, which activates a mechanism that adds extra cards to the deck in specific scenarios before the draw. For instance, if you have four cards towards a royal flush, the game will insert five copies of the necessary card into the deck to help you complete the royal flush. Refer to the rules section for complete details.

Rules

1. This game is built upon the traditional multi-play video poker framework, which I expect the readers are already acquainted with.
2. With bets ranging from one to five coins per line, gameplay is similar to standard multi-play video poker.
3. When a player wagers seven coins per hand, two of those coins serve as a fee to activate the Stack the Deck feature, while winnings are calculated based on a five-coin bet per hand.
4. The Stack the Deck feature enhances the game by adding more copies of required cards to the remaining 47-card deck during specific situations outlined below.
5. Two new hand types have been included in the payout table: one is a five of a kind and the other is a 'baby royal,' which consists of a straight flush from 9 to king.
6. Besides providing extra cards, this game also increases the payouts for some hands when the feature is activated.

Additional cards are incorporated in Deuces Wild and Deuces Wild Bonus games.

• For a natural royal flush with four cards, five extra copies of the missing card are added to the royal.
• If there are two, three, or four deuces, four additional deuces will be inserted.

Added cards in Triple Double Bonus

• For a natural royal flush with four cards, five extra copies of the missing card are added to the royal.
• For a four of a kind, five more cards of the same rank are added.
• In instances of a full house and three of a kind, three additional cards matching the rank of the three of a kind will be added.

All Other Games

• For a natural royal flush with four cards, five extra copies of the missing card are added to the royal.
• For a four of a kind, five more cards of the same rank are added.
• In the aforementioned hand, I received three sixes in the deal, which qualifies for additional cards.

Example

The game's animation showcases five added sixes (from the missing suit) being integrated into the deck.

During the draw, one of my five hands improved to a four of a kind.

The following return tables present the probabilities and contributions for all games offered at VideoPoker.com. These typically feature the most generous payout tables accessible to casinos. While I’m aware that alternative pay tables exist, I'm currently unaware of their specifics.

Analysis

I regret that you will need to manage that alone for the time being (don’t you just dislike when I say that?)

Strategy

A heartfelt thank you to Professor Gary Koehler for providing the return tables above.

Acknowledgements

• for granting permission to showcase example screenshots above, captured during their practice game, and for their ongoing assistance with my numerous queries and requests.
• VideoPoker.com Strategies and accurate information related to casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and many other games available for play.

Written by: Michael Shackleford