Abstract: A system, method, and gaming machine for implementing an optimized nudge operation. The gaming machine includes a processor for executing a set of instructions to implement a game, a memory for storing the set of instructions, nudge logic for determining an effect of all possible nudge operations on initial results of the game when played by a user, and two hardware nudge buttons for selecting among the nudge operations for the game to change the initial results to a final outcome for the game.