Rules
Learn the two fixed cards, two stack choices, hidden cards, discard, and final five-card hand.
Updated October 9, 2026 · Historical two-stack Pickem Poker guide
Pickem Poker: Learn the Game and Practice Free
Keep two cards, choose one stack, and complete a five-card hand. Learn how to compare your choices, then try the free trainer with fictional credits.
Fixed cards
5♠9♥
Choice A
9♦
Choice B
3♣
Start here
Learn in this order: rules → strategy → strategy chart → free trainer. The first four guides follow that path; then explore the math in more detail.
Strategy
See why the best choice is based on expected payout rather than the most exciting draw.
Strategy chart
Use a practical ranking chart for common partial-hand categories before drilling exact deals.
Free trainer
Practice the four-card decision with fictional credits and post-choice EV comparison.
Paytable
Compare the historical reference schedule with the way live casino paytables should be checked.
RTP and house edge
Understand the 99.9531% reference figure, its assumptions, and why reduced tables matter.
Odds
Review hit frequency, final-hand distribution, and why paying hands still occur less than half the time.
FAQ
Get concise answers about names, hidden cards, RTP, trainer behavior, and real-money checks.
One choice, two possible hands
In the example, Choice A keeps a pair of nines. Choice B starts without a pair. Compare each side’s three visible cards before choosing; the hidden cards can improve either hand.
The strategy guide explains expected value through worked examples. Use the 31-row chart to learn categories and the trainer to review the exact decision.
Which paytable applies?
The historical reference RTP is 99.9531% with the full-pay table, a five-credit wager, and optimal strategy. A different table can change both the return and the best choice. See the paytable comparison and RTP assumptions.
Practice before investigating a casino
The free trainer reveals both hands after your choice and compares expected value with the actual result. A correct decision can lose a hand; practice credits have no monetary value.
For real-money access, use the verification guide. The LasVegasUSA review preserves a July 16, 2026 written report; it does not confirm current access or an active paytable.
Who publishes these guides?
Sam, also the owner and editor of CountingEdge, publishes PickemPoker.com. Read about his background, methodology, and corrections policy. For quick answers, visit the FAQ.
Published and edited by Sam