How To Play Jacks Or Better Video Poker

Learning how to play Jacks or Better video poker is the first step most video poker players take. When the game first debuted in the mid-1970s, Jacks or Better was known as “Draw Poker”, and that term is still used by some today. Because Jacks or Better is the easiest to learn, it remains the standard and most popular video poker machine. Jacks or Better Video Poker was born thanks to a minor tweak - when the paytable of the first mass produced Video Poker game, Draw Poker, was slightly altered. Instead of two pairs, the lowest paying hand became a pair of Jacks or better, which increased the payouts and sent the popularity of Video Poker through the roof.

Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker formats. This has been the go-to version of the game since video poker terminals hit casinos and bars. It is based on draw poker, when you get a single draw and aim to hit jack-jack or better to win.

You’ll get to choose whether to hold or discard any or all of your five cards. The best payout in Jacks or Better is for a Royal Flush, which pays 800 coins (or in some casinos, a progressive jackpot prize).

Jacks or Better can be played in regulated states both at online and live casinos. This page details exactly how the game works, the best payouts you should look for and the optimal strategies behind playing the game.

Jacks or Better – Look for a full pay table, otherwise known as 9/6

There are two important considerations when you first play Jacks or Better. The first is the pay table, to ensure you are gaining the best odds possible. The second is the number of coins in play, which also has a large effect on the odds.

The first thing you should look at in the pay table are the prizes for a full house and a flush. You’ll want to ensure that the payout for the full house is 9 coins and that the payoff for a flush is 6 coins.

In some variations of the game, these payouts can be lowered to 8 and 5 coins respectively. While these differences might seem minor, the house edge increases from around 0.5% to 2.5% in the lower paid version. This is a 5x difference in the house edge. Take a quick glance at the pay table, and ensure you are playing the higher paying games (there are plenty of variations to choose from, especially online).

Number of Coins in Play

This is another serious consideration, as you should always opt for the 5-coin option. The payout for a Royal Flush betting one coin is 250 coins. If you bet 2, 3 or 4 coins, the payout increases to 500, 750 and 1,000 coins respectively.

However, if you play for the maximum 5 coins, the Royal Flush payout jumps to 2,000 coins (instead of the expected 1,250 coins).

Therefore, if you were to play a game with a total stake of $5 for example, you should always play 5 coins for $1, instead of 1 coin for $5. If you don’t play for 5 coins you are missing out on expected value.

How Jacks or Better Works

To start the game, you’ll hit the ‘Deal’ button which will deal you five cards. You’ll now get to choose how many of those 5 cards you want to hold or discard. Any of the cards you discard (which when playing the best strategy will usually be most of them) will now be replaced by new cards. You now have your final hand and you’ll be paid if you do indeed have Jacks or Better.

Here is an example payout for Jacks or Better (with the 9/6 pays for the full house and flush).

• Royal Flush: 800
• Straight Flush: 50
• 4 of a Kind: 25
• Full House: 9
• Flush: 6
• Straight: 4
• 3 of a kind: 3
• 2 Pair: 2
• Jacks or Better: 1

Strategy for Playing Jacks or Better

Much of the strategy around playing Jacks or Better is seemingly common sense, especially if you are dealt a series of big cards. However, things can get a little tricky when you have two potential ways to go (such as five cards that include a pair and the potential of a straight).

Here are some key pointers you can use in your strategy:

If you are dealt a royal flush, a straight flush, four of a kind, a full house and a flush, these hands play themselves and you should hold all cards. If you have four to a Royal Flush, hold those above a full house and a flush.

Pairs are all-important in Jacks or Better. If you receive a single high pair (Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces) within your five cards, these should be held instead of four cards of the same suit or even three of the five cards that make up a Royal Flush.

Even holding a low pair is deemed the best strategy over a number of deals. For example, if you are dealt a pair of 3’s in a hand that includes 7, 8 and 9 that are suited, you should hold those 3’s and discard the straight flush opportunity.

If you have a hand with just two high cards (with no other possibilities such as flushes and straights), or even just a single high card, you should simply hold them and discard the others. You’ll hold those high cards to give you a better possibility of hitting those high pairs.

Remember, when you are playing Jacks or Better, a high card is considered to be any picture card or an ace.

Jacks or Better Cheat Sheet

This strategy chart (cheat sheet) outlines what you should do in the event you are met with the following conditions.

• 2 Pairs: Unless you’re drawing to a four card royal flush, you should always keep any two pair combination.
• 4 card straight flush: You’ll want to keep any 4 card straight flush.
• Jacks or better: Hold if you have a pair of jacks or better (any).
• 3 cards to a royal flush: Hold if you have three cards to a royal flush.
• 4 cards to a flush: Hold if you have four cards to a flush
• Pair lower than J’s: Hold if you have a pair lower than J’s.
• Open straight draw: Hold if you have any four card open straight draw.
• AKQJ: Hold if you have unsuited AKQJ in your hand.
• 2 suited high cards: Hold if you have any two high cards (suited).
• 3 cards to a straight flush: Hold if you have three cards drawing to a straight flush.
• KQJ: Hold if you have any KQJ (unsuited).
• Unsuited high cards: Hold if you have any two high cards (unsuited).
• K, Q, J + 10 of same suit: Hold if you have any K, Q, or J, but only if you’re holding a 10 of the same suit.
• High card: Hold if you have any single high card.
• None of the above: Draw five new cards

Jackpot Variations of Jacks or Better

Occasionally, you can come across jackpot versions of this popular game, with the maximum prize for the Royal Flush awarding you a progressive jackpot. If the jackpot prize is much larger than the standard payout for the Royal Flush, this can change your strategy slightly, especially in situations where you have three cards to the hand (at this point you should prioritize the Royal Flush more).

Wrapping Up – Is there a ‘Better’ Video Poker Variation than Jacks or Better?

Jacks or Better can be considered one of the classic video poker games. With no wilds thrown into the mix, the big hands can be hard to land. While this sounds like a bad thing, it’s actually the opposite – due to that difficulty, the payouts are that much bigger in Jacks or Better.

Likewise, if you can find a full pay table, you can decrease the house edge significantly. Correct play,

The game can now be enjoyed online, as well as in the live casinos. Online casinos in NJ, Pennsylvania, MI and WV are regulating online casinos, giving you the chance to play the game if you are located within the state lines. Check out Jacks or Better and many other video poker formats online.

Video poker is the second most popular game in casinos behind slot machines. It hit the casino floor in the late 1970’s and by 1980, video poker was available in all Nevada and Atlantic City casinos. The first video poker game was called Draw Poker. That game is known as Jacks or Better today. The title changed as video poker grew in popularity and more games evolved in the 80’s and 90’s.

While Jacks or Better was the first video poker game, its popularity has diminished over the years. It does not offer the high variance most other video poker games offer. For that same reason, Jacks or Better is more popular among Las Vegas locals and savvy tourists, as long as the pay table is reasonable. You can practice for free below, or read on to learn more about how to play Jacks or Better.

How to Find the Best Jacks or Better Video Poker Machine

The best Jacks or Better game has the following pay table:

– Royal Flush: 800 (250 is fewer than five coins wagered)
– Straight Flush: 50
– Four of a Kind: 25
– Full House: 9
– Flush: 6
– Straight: 4
– Three of a Kind: 3
– Two Pair: 2
– Pair of Jacks or Better: 1

This game may not be available at all casinos. This is especially true at casinos that have geographical monopolies or are on the Las Vegas Strip. If 9/6 Jacks or Better is not available, the next best pay table is one that pays eight on a full house while still awarding six on a flush. The next best is nine on a full house but only five on a flush. Anything lower than those pay tables is unplayable.

There are some casinos that make it appear that the game is full pay but when you look closer, the game is not. The difference is that some gaming establishments will spread the full-pay table but require 10 or more coins for the 800-coin royal flush. This is common on nickel machines but also at convenience casinos like Dotty’s in Nevada where 100 coins are required for an 800-1 royal flush on Game King machines.

How to Increase Your Return on Jacks or Better

One way to increase your return at Jacks or Better video poker is to only play the 9/6 version described above. That is easy on the Internet as most casino websites offer this version. In a casino, it is not as common.

In Las Vegas, the best places to find this game are downtown at Plaza, Main Street Station, Fremont and El Cortez. Locals casinos like Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Sunset Station, Palace Station, Santa Fe Station, South Point, Westgate and many other off-strip properties. Some Strip resorts offer this game at $5 and higher denominations. Treasure Island has it at $.50 and higher.

Using A Casino Players Card

Using a players card will also add to the return of Jacks or Better video poker. This is automatic at online casinos. At live casinos, a player must go to the rewards center and give a photo ID if they do not already have a card. A players card is issued and must be inserted into the card reader on the machine. This will keep track of the amount wagered by the player.

The instant return when using a players card is between 0.05% and 0.3%, depending on the casino’s reward program. This is often issued in comps but some locals casinos in Las Vegas and regional markets will allow players to convert it to free play or straight cash.

The best benefits when using a players card usually come after you leave. Casinos will mail offers in an attempt to lure you back. This comes in the form of free play, hotel rooms or food comps. It is based on previous play but is often more generous after the first visit when using a players card. The free play may be taken directly from a slot or video poker machine at casinos that have a modern loyalty program.

Jacks or Better Basic Strategy

Finding the best pay table and using a players card only get you so far if you do not play the game properly. Every mistake lowers the Jacks or Better video poker return.

This list shows what a player should look for before discarding. Keep the cards or dealt hands listed and discard the others. The exception is when four of a kind is dealt. The kicker does not matter in Jacks or Better. It is better to hold the odd card than risk making an error on the draw. The list goes from top to bottom in terms of the hand that should be held.

Play Video Poker Jacks Or Better

– Keep all cards on a royal flush, straight flush and four of a kind
– Draw one when you have four to a royal flush, unless a straight flush was dealt
– Keep all cards on a full house, flush or straight
– Three of a kind
– Four to a straight flush
– Two pair
– Pair of jacks or better
– Three to a royal flush
– Four to a flush
– Pair of 2’s through 10’s
– Four to an open ended straight, meaning four connected cards five or higher
– AKQJ off-suit
– Two suited cards jack or higher
– 9JQK off-suit
– Three to a straight flush
– Two off-suit cards jack or higher. Keep the lowest two if three are dealt as this will draw more straights.
– Suited 10 with a jack, queen or king
– Singleton jack or higher
– Discard everything

Common Mistakes at Jacks or Better

How To Play Jacks Or Better Video Poker Strategies

The most common mistakes made when playing Jacks or Better often comes from players who are not aware of the basic strategy. The single biggest one is going for inside straights that are not ace or king-high. The entire hand should be discarded in this scenario.

How To Play Jacks Or Better Video Poker

Some players will hold four to a flush over three to a royal flush. This is the correct play if the number of coins wagered is not enough to trigger the 800-1 royal flush payout. Otherwise, toss the flush card nine or lower and go for the three to the royal flush.

Some players make the mistake of going for a low pair over a four-card flush. The flush draw is the better play. On the other hand, a low pair should be kept over any straight draw.

How To Play Jacks Or Better Video Poker

How To Play Jacks Or Better Video Poker