When you know how to play video poker and save three of a kind and hope for a four of a kind – and don’t get it – do you ever notice how often the two drawn cards total the same as the three you saved? Wouldn’t it be nice if these hands also counted as a winning four of a kind? If you would like that to happen, consider Quick Quads.
WHAT IS QUICK QUADS VIDEO POKER
Quick Quads Video Poker is a variation of standard video poker. Introduced by IGT and Action Gaming in 2008, Quick Quads plays as a standard video poker game with up to five credits played. However, once the sixth credit per line is bet, a very powerful feature is activated. When a three-of-a-kind is dealt normally the fourth card of the same rank is the only card that will produce a four-of-a-kind. With the “quick quad” feature activated, the fourth card of the same rank – as well as any two cards that total up to the rank of the other three cards – also scores as a four-of-a-kind. With the quick quads feature activated, if you are dealt three 9s, a four-of-a-kind winner will be paid if you draw the fourth 9, or if the other two cards total nine. So, rather than just one card (the last 9) being eligible to complete the four-of-a-kind, an ace-8, 2-7, 3-6, or 4-5 will also pay the same amount, dramatically improving the odds of completing this profitable hand.
There are, naturally, some restrictions. They are:
- Only four-of-a-kinds of 2 through 10 are eligible for quick quad consideration.
- Also, in order to complete the hand as a quick quad, the other two cards must be under a 10.
- Aces always count as one.
If the final hand is a full house as well as a quick quad (ex: 44422), the hand is paid as a four-of-a-kind.
Quick Quads is available in most of the popular video poker game versions such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, Triple Bonus, Double-Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus, and Triple Bonus Poker Plus.
Initially, Quick Quads was only available in a multiline format of three or five lines. Currently, single line versions are available, though you may have to look for them a bit.
PAY TABLES
The pay tables for Quick Quads are a bit different than for the standard game. Pay tables for 9/6 Jacks or Better standard and Quick Quads are shown below.
| Hand | Standard Pays | Quick Quads Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Return | 99.54% | 99.61% |
| Royal Flush | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 |
| 4 of a Kind | 25 | 47.2 |
| Full House | 9 | 9 |
| Flush | 6 | 6 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 |
| 3 of a Kind | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 |
RETURNS
Notice that the pays are the same for both games with the exception of the four-of-a-kind. Quick Quads pays nearly twice as much for those thanks to the extra completion possibilities. Also, notice that the overall return is only slightly higher for Quick Quads. Why?
Quick Quads requires six credits before the additional quads come into play. The following table shows the relative return by hand, factoring in the six credits required to activate the Quick Quads feature.
| Hand | Standard Returns | Quick Quads Returns |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Return | 99.54% | 99.61% |
| Royal Flush | 1.98% | 1.68% |
| Straight Flush | 0.55% | 0.46% |
| 4 of a Kind | 5.91% | 24.07% |
| Full House | 10.36% | 8.13% |
| Flush | 6.61% | 5.55% |
| Straight | 4.49% | 3.69% |
| 3 of a Kind | 22.33% | 17.07% |
| Two Pairs | 25.86% | 21.51% |
| Jacks or Better | 21.46% | 17.43% |
This table clearly shows that Quick Quads four-of-a-kinds amount to almost a quarter of the total return. To balance that fact, every other hand returns less per credit.
The extra credit required to play Quick Quads causes the bankroll requirements to increase. Make sure you are properly bankrolled should you choose to play.
QUICK QUADS VIDEO POKER STRATEGY
It may not be apparent from a casual glance at the pay tables and a basic understanding of how the game is played, but the video poker strategy for quick quads is quite different from that for the standard version of the game. There are a couple of reasons for this.
- First, every hand other than the four-of-a-kind has a reduced return.
- Second, and most importantly, four-of-a-kinds can be made in many more ways.
This means that three-of-a-kinds in Quick Quads are more important than in the standard game. Three-of-a-kinds with a kicker (a card that can be combined with another to add up to one of the three like cards) are even more important.
While there is only one strategy line for three-of-a-kinds in the standard Jacks or Better game, there are two in Quick Quads – three-of-a-kind with a kicker, and three-of-a-kind without a kicker.
Certain two pair hands also become more important – those that can become a quick quad by matching one of the pairs. These hands are AA22, 2244, 3366, 4488, and 55TT.
Select single pairs with a kicker (or kickers) also take on greater importance.
- A low pair of 33 with A2
- 44 with A3
- 55 with A4 or 23
- 66 with A5 or 24
- 77 with A5, 25, or 34
- 88 with A7, 26, or 35
- 99 with A8, 27, 36, or 45
- TT with A9, 28, 37, or 46
- 22 with A
- 33 with A or 2
- 44 with A or 3
If all of the additional concerns above are not enough for you, hands containing three to a flush that could result in a quick quad are also included in the strategy.
- A56
- A67
- A78
- A89
- A9T
- 257
- 268
- 279
- 28T
- 358
- 369
- 37T
- 459
- 46T
Yes, Quick Quads strategy is significantly more complex than different video poker strategies for the standard game.
Strategies for Quick Quads can be found by searching Internet web sites. As an indication of strategy complexity, a full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better Quick Quads strategy contains 50 lines. By comparison, standard Jacks or Better strategy has 36 lines. There is an almost 40 percent increase in the number of strategy lines for the Quick Quads game.
Now let’s weigh the positives and negatives.
POSITIVES
- Playing Quick Quads can be a lot of fun.
- The game loudly announces each time you score a Quick Quads four-of-a-kind which adds to the fun and excitement.
- There are many more quads produced in Quick Quads.
- The return of the game is slightly more than the equivalent standard version of the game.
NEGATIVES
- Quick Quads is not widely available – mainly limited to select casinos in Las Vegas.
- Single line versions of the game are somewhat limited.
- The additional credit required to activate the Quick Quad feature means bankroll requirements increase.
- The strategy is significantly more complex than the strategy for the standard version of the game.
One last caution - make sure to check the entire pay table to make sure you are playing a game with a decent return (and a game for which you know the video poker strategy tips). It makes no sense to play Quick Quads at a one or two percent – or higher – disadvantage over the standard games that may be available in the same casino. Vigilance always pays off.
If you can find a Quick Quads game with a decent return, if you have an adequate bankroll, and if you have the proper strategy mastered, Quick Quads is fun, exciting, and can be profitable as well.
