Definitions for "Penalty Card"
Sometimes in video poker the correct play in a borderline hand is determined by the value of the discards. Let's look at an example in 9/6 Jacks or Better with a king of ♣, 10 of ♣, 9 of ♠, 6 of ♣, and a 3 of . The best options are to either keep the suited 10 and king or the king only. The suited 10 and king is usually the better option. However in this scenario two potentially useful cards would be discarded, the 9 of spades (lowering the odds of forming a straight), and the 6 of clubs (lowering the odds of forming a flush). These two cards are called penalty cards because they degrade the value of the best play, the suited 10 and king. In this case they degrade the value to below that of keeping the king only. Penalty cards are also applicable in Hold 'em Challenge.
an exposed card subjecting its holder's side to restrictions. (See also Major penalty card, Minor penalty card.)
a potentially useful card that is discarded