A paying pair offers certainty while a near-complete straight flush offers a different range of outcomes. This archived quiz sets those alternatives against each other, a classic example of why a guaranteed small award and a larger possible one require careful comparison.
The wider question
A useful hand comparison starts with the exact variant and its complete payout schedule. A familiar game name is not enough to identify every rule. When reading a historical strategy discussion, keep its assumptions attached to the example; a different schedule or extra feature may call for a different comparison.
This is an original editorial reading note on the topic of a Jerry Stickman column, not a reproduction of the full article. The date above belongs to the original publication. Read the linked column for the author’s complete account and conclusions.
Video poker quiz: Four-card Straight Flush or High Pair
Jerry Stickman · Mar 10, 2025
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