# Optimal Hold — Video Poker Trainer

> Video poker trainer with real-time EV analytics and strategy simulation. (iPhone/iPad app by BRANDON HAOYANG WANG.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimal-hold/id6782296559 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [BRANDON HAOYANG WANG](https://appshunter.io/developer/6780666346)
- Category: Games, Education, Card, Puzzle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-07-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimal-hold/id6782296559/reviews.md

## What is Optimal Hold?

Stop guessing on the hold. Train with real-time Expected Value (EV) analytics, build custom hand scenarios, and perfect your video poker strategy to maximize your returns.
Whether you’re stepping onto the casino floor or playing for fun, video poker isn't a game of pure luck—it’s a game of precise mathematics. Optimal Hold is the ultimate video poker training companion designed to turn you into a mathematically flawless player.
Focused on the classic casino standard—Jacks or Better (9/6 Paytable)—Optimal Hold gives you an authentic felt-table experience backed by a powerful, exact probability engine. No shortcuts, no approximations. Just pure, optimal strategy tracking.

WHY OPTIMAL HOLD WORKS:

The app tracks your decisions on every single deal and compares them against the absolute mathematical best play. Learn exactly why holding a low pair might beat chasing a 3-flush in specific scenarios, and close the gap on house edge.

KEY FEATURES:

Real-Time EV Calculation: Tap your cards to make your selection. The app instantly calculates the exact Expected Value (EV) for every possible combination to score your decision.
Deep Strategy Breakdown: Win or lose, unlock a comprehensive post-hand EV Breakdown. Review every alternative hold combination to see exactly how much value your choices generated compared to the mathematical baseline.
Custom Deal Sandbox: Want to test a specific tricky scenario you encountered at the casino? Use the built-in Card Picker to hand-select any 5 cards from a 52-card deck and instantly analyze the optimal strategy.
Advanced Performance Metrics: Go beyond simple win/loss tracking. Monitor your comprehensive Accuracy Percentage, track your hands played, credits won, precise Profit & Loss (P/L), and your actual rolling Return to Player (RTP%) margin.
In-App Interactive Paytable: Instant, beautifully rendered access to the standard 9/6 Jacks or Better payout structures so you always know what you're drawing toward.
Premium Casino Aesthetic: Immerse yourself in a distraction-free, elegant deep-felt interface complete with fluid card physics, modern typography, and clean tactical layouts.

Perfect your play. Protect your bankroll. Achieve the Optimal Hold.

Optimal Hold is a strategy simulation and training tool. All gameplay does not involve betting. We do not process cash bets, deposits, or payouts.

Terms of Use (EULA): By using this app, you agree to the Apple Standard Terms of Use (EULA) available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
The Privacy Policy is available at https://sites.google.com/view/optimalhold/home/

## Key features

- Real-time EV calculation
- Deep strategy breakdown
- Custom deal sandbox
- Advanced performance metrics
- Interactive paytable
- Premium casino aesthetic

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Optimal Hold Pro: Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Optimal Hold Pro: Yearly | $19.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Optimal Hold Pro: Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimal-hold/id6782296559/reviews.md

### 5/5 — THIS APP RETIRED ME!!!

*2026-07-10*

This app taught me how to play video poker I made $2m and got banned from the Wynn 10/10

## Frequently asked questions about Optimal Hold

### What is Optimal Hold?

Optimal Hold is a video poker training companion that uses real-time Expected Value (EV) analytics to help players perfect their strategy. It focuses on the Jacks or Better (9/6 Paytable) casino standard.

### How does Optimal Hold calculate strategy?

The app tracks your decisions on every deal and compares them to the mathematically best play, calculating the exact Expected Value (EV) for every possible combination to score your decision.

### Can I test specific scenarios in Optimal Hold?

Yes, Optimal Hold features a Custom Deal Sandbox where you can use the Card Picker to select any 5 cards from a deck and instantly analyze the optimal strategy for that specific scenario.

### What performance metrics does Optimal Hold offer?

Beyond win/loss tracking, Optimal Hold provides Accuracy Percentage, hands played, credits won, Profit & Loss (P/L), and your rolling Return to Player (RTP%) margin.

### Does Optimal Hold involve real money betting?

No, Optimal Hold is a strategy simulation and training tool. All gameplay does not involve betting, and it does not process cash bets, deposits, or payouts.

### What are the subscription options for Optimal Hold Pro?

Optimal Hold Pro offers a monthly subscription for $2.99/P1M and a yearly subscription for $19.99/P1Y, unlocking premium features.

### What devices does Optimal Hold support?

Optimal Hold is available on iPhone and iPad devices.

### How often is Optimal Hold updated?

The latest version is 1.1, and the app was last updated on 2026-07-09, indicating regular updates.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2 — 2026-08-11

Additional video poker variants! 
Train and improve your play on Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, and Triple Double Bonus

### 1.1 — 2026-07-09

Added multi-play feature allowing for the same deal to be played across 3, 5, 10, or even 100 different outcomes!
New help screen to explain all app features
UI Improvements & Bug Fixes

### 1.0 — 2026-07-07

No release notes.

## More apps by BRANDON HAOYANG WANG

- [Versalog](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/versalog/id6780695614)
- [OneLess: Decluttering Tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oneless-decluttering-tool/id6785740348)

All apps by BRANDON HAOYANG WANG: https://appshunter.io/developer/6780666346

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*