terrencechan

I like the first one. It seems to have better winning chances. But I'm not as good at CP as some of the people you know, and were probably in the game.

I'm not great at chinese... but what about something like:

Jh Js Jd 3s 3c / Kh Kd Qc Qs 5h / Ah Td 6h

You'll lose the small hand a lot of the time, but win the first two a lot. Or am I way off?

The problem with this is that the upgrade from KK to KKQQ in the middle is not that big, like maybe 30%, while the upgrade from AT6 to QQ in front is really big, around 60%.

Completely agreed (well, it's math, so I guess there's no real dissention possible).

One of the key things I've learned is to split those big pairs and try to assure you win the front with the big pair (and if possible, using the big kicker)

77

(1) wins when opp has AA or tens up or lower in the middle.
(2) wins when opp has tens full or lower in back, or an AKQ flush.

My first reaction is that (2) seems more likely. Most boats are ten full or lower, whereas few two pair hands are tens up or lower.

On second thought that may not be the case; you have so many high cards that most of his possible two pair hands are actually going to be two small pair. That or aces up, but aces often go up front.

I still think I'm going with (2), since we're going to see baby boats in back so often and opposing trips make KK vs JJ33 irrelevant, but I'm not as sure as I was when I voted.

that's exactly what i was thinking.

Having problems today I guess. I meant the first one, not other.

I voted for #2.

Before I voted, I took some cards out and set the hand myself before looking at your two choices. I set my hand exactly like #2.

Without knowing any of the math of CP, I think #2 is much more attractive because I'm much more happy with the boat in back and the big pair in the front. I'm thinking you're giving yourself a sure shot at two winners by forfeiting the middle.

77

I think I have an authoritative answer from JP Massar. He has an analyzer for Chinese Poker and I know he doesn't read Livejournal, so I emailed him. Anyway, my poll answer was validated by his response to my email. The best setting is the first one; in fact, he said the first option is "significantly better." Basically the difference between one pair in the middle and jacks up in the middle is much greater than the difference between an AK high flush in back and jacks full in the back.

agh. confusion.

Yeah, I got independent confirmation on the flush/two pair as well. So, poll's closed now. :) thanks for responding to all; I knew when I posted what the right answer was but was curious how people would play it.

Well, I guess I can't close a poll on LJ, so the final voting goes 30-29-1.

I dont have the software in front of me but I'm pretty sure playing the full house is correct.