Pick a Multiplier Poker

Introduction

Pick a Multiplier Poker is a video poker variant where the player first chooses a multiplier and then will then get it on a cycle equal to one less than the multiplier. 

Rules

1. Pick a Multiplier Poker is an optional feature added to multi-play video poker.
2. The player picks a multiplier from 2x to 10x.
3. The game will give the player the chosen multiplier on a cycle equal to one less than the multiplier. For example, if the player picks a 5x multiplier, he will get it every fourth hand.
4. The player must pay ten credits per play to invoke the feature. If the feature is invoked, wins will be based on five credits bet.
5. After choosing a multiplier or changing to a different one the game will start at the beginning of a cycle. For example, if the player chooses a 10x multiplier, he will have to play 8 hands without a multiplier to get to the hand with the 10x multiplier.

Example

 

In the hand above I chose a 5x multiplier. When it was my turn to get the multiplier I was dealt two threes on the deal, which I held. On the bottom hand I improved to a four of a kind, which normally pays 125 on a 5-cred bet. With the 5x multiplier, my win was 5×125 = 625 credits.

Strategy

The strategy is the same as conventional video poker for any given game and pay table, whether the player has a multiplier or not. Always play through a full cycle once you start.

It is easy to see an advantage can be gained by starting to play if the game is already part of the way to a multiplier. For example, if the previous player selected a 5x multiplier and left the game two games away from the multiplier, it would be advantageous to pick up where he left off and leave after playing off the multiplier.

Analysis

The following table shows the average multiplier for all multiplier selected. As you can see the average is always 2. Since the player must double his bet to invoke the feature, the return is exactly the same without the feature.

• 2x: avg(2) = 2
• 3x: avg(1,3) = 2
• 4x: avg(1,1,4) = 2
• 5x: avg(1,1,1,5) = 2
• 6x: avg(1,1,1,1,6) = 2
• 7x: avg(1,1,1,1,1,7) = 2
• 8x: avg(1,1,1,1,1,1,8) = 2
• 9x: avg(1,1,1,1,1,1,1,9) = 2
• 10x: avg(1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,10) = 2

Thus, the return is the same as conventional video poker for any given game and pay table.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank VideoPoker.com for permission to use the screenshot above. Pick a Multiplier is available to play on their web site for fun. I believe a Gold level membership is required to play this game.

Written by: Michael Shackleford