Quick Quads Guide
Quick Quads (like Super Times Pay) is a new video poker game that is actually just a variation on existing games. Quick quads machines offer the chance at more four of a kinds through a slight rule tweak. If you have three of a kind twos-tens, and the fourth and fifth cards add up to match the three of a kind card, you qualify for a quad payout.
For example, 6-6-6-4-2 would qualify as quad sixes because the four and two combine to make another six. Remember, this rule tweak only applies for quad deuces through tens. Aces count as one. Here is an example hand that would make Quick Quads:
(This hand is quad sixes, because the four and two combine to give you another six)
Games with Quick Quads
Like I mentioned before, quick quads really isn't a game of its own - rather, it's a modification on existing games. For example, you might find a 9/6 Quick Quads Jacks or Better game. This would be a normal full pay game, but would offer the quick quads tweak.
Statistical Differences
As I'm sure you can imagine, Quick Quads games have significantly different odds and strategies than normal video poker games. The Quick Quads feature increases the frequency of Quads by about 2.7 times over a normal game. As a result, Quick Quads games with the same pay tables as non-Quick Quads games pay out much more.
Strategy Differences
Besides the statistical differences, there is also a vast difference in the strategy needed to play Quick Quads. Almost every hand that includes a pair, three of a kind, or a full house needs to be re-evaluated to see what the correct play really is. For example, it may be worthwhile to break up full houses to pursue four of a kind.
If you are dealt 6-6-6-K-K you have to decide if you hold the sixes and give up the full house. However, if you have 8-8-8-4-4 you wouldn't want to break up the full house, because the two fours you are discarding hurt your chances of making Quick Quads.
We'll leave a full discussion of quick quads strategy for another time, but the main thing to realize here is that the proper strategy is very different, and very complicated. However, complicated strategy can actually be a good thing for a professional player, because the casino can afford to offer a higher payout percentage if the game is hard to master.
Then, if you can master the game, you'll likely see it stick around for a long time while the other players are making mistakes and losing their money. If you'd like to start learning quick quads strategy, click here -> Comparing Quick Quads
Quick Quads Pay Tables
Since Quick Quads offers increased four of a kind frequency, some casinos choose to lower the pay tables to compensate for the increased in quads. However, most casinos use the same pay schedules simply because the strategy is so hard that almost all players fail to capitalize on the increased opportunities.
This way they can advertise an extremely high payout, right up to 100%, without really offering that high of a payout to the majority of players. Most players make enough mistakes that they're really only returning 98%-99%, which is low enough that the casino makes plenty of money.
Where to Play Quick Quads
At the moment I don't know of any online casinos offering Quick Quads, but the majority of casinos in Las Vegas offer the game. In Atlantic City it's a little more hit and miss.
