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Jacks or Better Video Poker: Winning Strategies & Rules
Video poker is one of the most popular casino games, and in this article I’ll guide you through the essential Jacks or Better rules and best strategies to help you win more often. You’ll learn how to make smarter decisions, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy every hand with greater confidence.
How to Play Jacks or Better
Learning how to play Jacks or Better video poker is simple. I recommend starting by selecting your bet amount, after which the machine will deal you five cards from a standard 52 card deck. Next, decide which cards you want to keep and which to discard; any cards you discard will be replaced with new ones from the deck. Your aim is to build the strongest possible poker hand, with a pair of Jacks or better being the minimum for a payout. Once the draw is finished, your payout depends on the strength of your final hand. There’s no dealer or other players, just you and the machine.
Jacks or Better is the classic version that defines video poker for most players. In this game, you’ll receive a payout for any hand with a pair of Jacks or higher, up to a Royal Flush. Below, you’ll see a screenshot of a typical Jacks or Better video poker machine.
When played with optimal strategy, Jacks or Better offers an impressive 99.54% expected return. I recommend always checking the payout table displayed on the machine to ensure you’re playing a version with the best possible odds. For example, compare the payouts for a Full House and a Flush across different machines to find the most favorable pay tables.
Below are the payouts for a Full House and a Flush on different machines:
The best odds in Jacks or Better are found on a 9/6 machine, which pays 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush. I recommend choosing these machines whenever possible, as they offer higher returns compared to other pay tables.
Jacks or Better Paytables
Pay tables for Jacks or Better can vary slightly depending on the casino, but the table below shows the most common payout structure you’ll find:
| Hand | Payoff |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 |
| Full House | 9 |
| Flush | 6 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| 2 Pair | 2 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 |
As you can see, the difference in payout between a Royal Flush and all other hands is huge. I recommend focusing on maximizing your chances of hitting a Royal Flush, while also collecting as many smaller wins as possible to keep your bankroll steady until that big hand comes along.
Expect Some Losing Hands
About 79% of hands in Jacks or Better will not result in a win. Don’t get discouraged by losing streaks, stay focused and aim for small wins to keep your bankroll going until you hit bigger hands.
Maximize Your Payouts
Always play the maximum number of coins if your budget allows. This is the only way to unlock the top Royal Flush payout. If needed, lower your coin value so you can bet the maximum number of coins, rather than playing fewer coins at a higher value.
Take Your Time
There’s no time limit in Jacks or Better video poker. Unlike table games, you play at your own pace. Take advantage of this by making thoughtful decisions with every hand.
Choose the Right Strategy
- New to video poker? Start with the simple strategy to learn the basics.
- More experienced? Move on to the advanced strategy below for even better results.
Jacks Or Better Strategy
Boost Your Returns
Following this strategy can increase your long-term return to about 99.45%. Even a small edge over the house makes a real difference over time, helping you get the most value in the long run.
Chase the Big Win, Stay Patient
The main way to score a significant payout in video poker is by hitting a Royal Flush. Since the odds are low, be prepared to play patiently and keep making smart choices until your chance comes.
How to Use the Hand Chart
Start at the top of the chart below and hold the first hand combination that matches your cards.
Your goal is to build the strongest possible poker hand, with a pair of Jacks or better as the minimum for a payout. For a full list of hand strengths, I’ve written an article on poker hand rankings.
| Strategy Hand Ranking |
|---|
| Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind |
| 4 cards to a Royal Flush |
| Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind |
| 4 cards to a Straight Flush |
| 2 Pair |
| High Pair |
| 3 to a Royal Flush |
| 4 to a Flush |
| Low Pair |
| 4 to an Outside Straight |
| 2 Suited High Cards |
| 3 to a Straight Flush |
| 2 Unsuited High Cards – Choose just 2 if more than 2 |
| Suited 10/J, 10/Q, 10/K |
| One High Card |
| Discard All |
Terminology
In the table above, keep the following points in mind:
- High Card: Jack, Queen, King, or Ace. A pair of these returns your stake, so I recommend holding them.
- Outside Straight: Four consecutive cards where adding a card at either end can complete the straight (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8).
- Inside Straight: Four cards with one missing number that would complete the straight (e.g., 5, 6, 8, 9).
Advanced Jacks or Better Strategy
After you’re comfortable with the basics, I recommend exploring the advanced video poker strategy below. Using this approach can boost your payout percentage to about 99.54%, which is among the highest returns available in any casino game. And if you manage to land a Royal Flush early, you’ll be rewarded with an impressive payout.
Just like with the simple strategy, begin at the top of the table below and move down until you find the hand combination that matches your cards. Hold those cards and discard the rest.
| Advanced Strategy Hand Ranking |
|---|
| Dealt Royal Flush |
| Dealt Straight Flush |
| Dealt 4 of a Kind |
| 4 to a Royal Flush |
| Dealt Full House |
| Dealt Flush |
| 3 of a Kind |
| Dealt Straight |
| 4 to a Straight Flush |
| Two Pair |
| High Pair |
| 3 to a Royal Flush |
| 4 to a Flush |
| Unsuited 10, J, Q, K, A |
| Low Pair |
| 4 to an Outside Straight that includes 2 High Cards |
| 3 to a Straight Flush |
| Suited JQ |
| 4 to an Inside Straight, all High Cards |
| Suited QK or JK |
| Suited AK, AQ or AJ |
| 4 to an Inside Straight, 3 High Cards |
| Unsuited JQK |
| Unsuited JQ |
| Suited 10J |
| 2 Unsuited High Cards with K as the highest |
| J |
| Suited 10K |
| Q |
| K |
| A |
| Discard Everything |
Borderline Hands
The table below lists hands that nearly qualify for the main strategy list above, but the optimal play is to make a different decision:
| Hand | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Suited 10 A | Hold the Ace only |
| 3 Unsuited High Cards with Ace as the highest | Keep the two lowest high cards (better chance at an open-ended straight) |
| 4 to an Inside Straight with 2 High Cards | Keep the two high cards |
| 4 to an Inside Straight with 1 High Card | Keep the high card |
| 4 to an Inside Straight with 0 High Cards | Discard all |
Jacks or Better Tips
The tips for Jacks or Better apply to most video poker games. The main difference is the specific strategy card for each variation. I’ll cover some essential tips here to help you get the most out of your Jacks or Better strategy.
- Always play the maximum number of coins to qualify for the royal flush bonus. Bank smaller wins and play for the long run to give yourself the best shot at a big payout.
- Take your time to study every hand and play correctly. The machines at casinos are in no hurry when you play Jacks or Better, and neither should you be.
- Only 21% of hands win in Jacks or Better, so use strategy to turn as many losing hands as possible into winners.
- Check the payout table before you start playing, and always choose machines with the highest payouts for full house and flush hands.
- Hold onto a low pair rather than two high cards, as pairs provide more frequent winning hands and better long-term returns.
- Never break up a winning hand (like a straight or flush) just to chase a higher payout unless you are drawing to a royal flush and the odds justify it.
- Use a strategy chart as you play Jacks or Better video poker. Many experienced players rely on them to make the best decisions every hand.
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