Jacks or Better was one of the earliest video poker variations created, and it remains very popular today.
One reason for Jacks or Better’s popularity is that it’s among the simplest video poker games to understand. You don’t have to learn multiple hands, wild cards, multipliers or bonus payouts.
JACKS OR BETTER STRATEGY 8/6 (SHORT PAY) Everything that was mentioned for the 9/5 version of Jacks or Better also applies to the 8/6 version. The return for the game is about one percent lower than the return for the full pay game and the variance is low. This game, like the 9/5 version, will tend to be found in the higher denomination games. 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.
Another reason why people like Jacks or Better is because the full pay (highest paying) version offers 99.54% payback and is found at many land-based and online casinos.
Las vegas slots app rewards. This contrasts other full pay video poker variants, which aren’t commonly found in casinos.
If you want to take advantage of this high payback and simplistic strategy, keep reading as we discuss Jacks or Better’s history, how to play, pay tables and strategy.
Jacks or Better History
Because Jacks or Better is commonly associated with video poker, many think that it didn’t exist until video poker machines entered casinos in the 1970s.
But Jacks or Better can actually be traced back to the nineteenth century when poker became popular on Mississippi riverboats.
The first known reference comes from gambler and writer J.H. Green who, in 1834, compared Jacks or Better to Three Card Monte. Green felt that Jacks or Better was a fair game, while Three Card Monte was a cheating game.
Like many forms of poker that originated on the Mississippi River, there’s no clear date on when people first started playing Jacks or Better. This leaves Green’s reference as the earliest mention of the game.
Jacks or Better Popularizes Video Poker
Jacks or Better remained in gambling circles throughout the years and was introduced as a video poker variant in the late 1970s.
Video poker was a failure when it was first introduced to casinos in 1970, namely because it was nothing more than a television monitor attached to a central processing unit. Players didn’t trust these machines, nor did they see any reason to gravitate away from the more popular slot machines.
By the mid 1970s, Si Redd and his company, SIRCOMA Si Redd’s Coin Machines, began creating better video poker machines and distributing them to more casinos.
SIRCOMA, later IGT, experienced moderate success with their first game Draw Poker, which is 5 card draw poker that starts payouts at a two pair.
SIRCOMA changed the lowest payout to a pair of jacks, which greatly increased video poker’s popularity. Today, Jacks or Better is still one of the most widely played machine based casino games.
Jacks or Better Betting
You can bet anywhere from 1 to 5 coins on your hand. Most land based casinos feature a $0.25 coin denomination, making the minimum bet $0.25 and the max wager $1.25.
As we’ll cover later, the royal flush payout has a disproportionate jump when moving from a 4 coin win to a 5 coin win.
If you want to be eligible for this increase and achieve top payback, then you need to bet 5 coins. To quickly wager 5 coins, click the Max Bet button.
Despite Jacks or Better’s high payback, some players don’t feel comfortable betting $1.25 per hand. If you’re a low roller who still wants to achieve max payback, note that online video poker has coin denominations as low as one cent.
Once you’ve selected your betting options, click the Deal button to receive your 5 card hand. You then evaluate your hand and decide what to keep based on Jacks or Better strategy.
When you’ve decided what cards to keep and discard, click Draw to finalize your hand. The software will then determine if your hand qualifies for a payout according to the pay table.
Once the round is over, you can make betting changes. Or, you can just click Deal to use the same wager and get a new hand.
Jacks or Better Rules
Jacks or Better uses a standard 52 card deck with no wild cards. This game is programmed to make each card appear with the same odds that you’d expect from a real 52 card deck.
Random number generator software ensures that every deal and hand is randomized.
Land based casinos must submit to state audits to ensure that their video poker and other games are random. Online casinos must adhere to the specifications set forth by their licensing jurisdiction(s).
While Jacks or Better is straightforward, IGT has produced some new video poker variants that allow you to play this game in a different format. Here’s a look at games that put a twist on Jacks or Better:
- Triple Play Poker
- Triple Play sees you play three video poker hands at once, each requiring a separate bet. Any card that you hold in your bottom hand is mirrored in the other two hands. Triple Play Poker forms the basis for the other variants discussed here, which also use a multi hand format.
- Good Times Pay
- Featured in Triple Play format, Good Times Pay sees you get random multipliers on wins as long as you bet 5 coins per hand.
- Hot Roll Video Poker
- You can play 3, 5, or 10 hands at once, and you need to bet 10 coins on a hand to make it eligible for the Hot Roller multiplier. This feature randomly sees dice roll across the screen and gives you a multiplier equal to the two dice’s value (2x to 12x).
- Hyper Bonus Poker
- Hyper Bonus is very similar to Hot Roll with its two 12x multiplier range. The main difference is that no dice are involved in Hyper Bonus.
- Multi Strike Poker
- This game sees you play up to four hands, which are stacked on top of each other in levels. Every time that you win, you move to a new level/hand. The second level offers a 2x multiplier, the third level has a 4x multiplier and the fourth level has an 8x multiplier.
- Multi Strike Poker Super Times Pay
- This is the same as Multi Strike Poker, except you can activate the Super Times pay feature on each hand by betting another coin. Super Times Pay gives you a random multiplier on wins worth up to 10x.
- Peek and Play Poker
- For an extra 2 coin bet, you can activate the Peek and Play feature, which lets you see the first replacement card before you make discards. This can help you avoid making discards or keeping cards that would hurt your hand.
- Pick and Pair Poker
- This game sees four cards dealt– two on the left and two on the right. You pick one of the two cards to keep on the right hand side and the other card disappears. After this, the final two cards are dealt, and your 5 card hand is complete (no draw round).
Jacks or Better Video Poker Pay Tables and Odds
As mentioned before, Jacks or Better is one of the few video poker games where you can find the full pay version. This is called 9 / 6 Jacks or Better, because a full house pays 9 coins and a flush offers 6 coins.
But even with full pay Jacks or Better available, you’ll commonly find other versions in land based casinos that pay less for a full house and flush.
Let’s look at these pay tables below and discus how the lower full house and flush payouts affect payback:
Hand | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Hand | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Hand | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 8 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
As you can see, nothing changes between these pay tables except for full house and flush payouts. But, you may be surprised at how these little changes alter the payback:
- 9 / 6 Jacks or Better = 99.54% payback
- 9 / 5 Jacks or Better = 98.45% payback
- 8 / 6 Jacks or Better = 98.39% payback
Considering the drop from 9 / 6 to 9 / 5 Jacks or Better, you can see why it’s good to find the full pay version whenever it’s available.
Earlier, we mentioned the jump between the royal flush payout on a 4 coin and 5 coin win. As the pay table shows, you win 1,000 credits on a 4 coin wager and 4,000 credits on a 5 coin bet.
If you want to attain the highest payback, then you need to bet the max number of coins.
One more thing worth mentioning is that most video poker variants have pay tables that are based on Jacks or Better. Once you learn the Jacks or Better pay table, you’ll have an easier time adjusting to other games.
Video poker strategy is never easy, but Jacks or Better offers simpler strategy than many video poker variants.
This game doesn’t have a lot of winning hands, meaning you have less to look at when reviewing strategy charts.
In fact, you can even use a simplified strategy chart that’ll get you to 99.46% payback, which is very close to the optimal 99.54% pay.
Below, you can see the simplified strategy chart along with the advanced version.
When reading these charts, start from the top and scan down until you find your hand listed. If you don’t find your hand, then discard everything.
Simple Strategy Chart 99.46% Payback
- Royal flush, straight flush, 4 of a kind
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, straight, 3 of a kind
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 2 pair
- High pair J J to A A
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a flush
- Low pair (10s or lower)
- 4 cards to an outside straight
- 2 unsuited high cards
- Suited K 10, Q 10, or J 10
- One high card
- Royal flush, straight flush, 4 of a kind
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, straight, 3 of a kind
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- Two pair
- High pair J J to A A
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a flush
- Unsuited K Q J T
- Low pair
- 4 cards to an outside straight w/ 0 2 high cards
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- Suited Q J
- 4 cards to an inside straight w/ 4 high cards
- Suited K Q, K J
- Suited A K, A Q, or A J
- 4 cards to an inside straight w/ 3 high cards
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- Unsuited K Q J
- Unsuited Q J
- Suited J T
- 2 unsuited high cards w/ king high card
- Suited Q T
- 2 unsuited high cards w/ ace high card
- Jack only
- Suited K T
- Queen, king, or ace only
- 3 cards to a straight flush
Conclusion
One of the biggest reasons why people choose video poker is because they want to use strategy and have a solid chance to beat the casino. Jacks or Better offers both of these benefits, without forcing you to look at a novel-like strategy chart.
Beyond these parks, another advantage to Jacks or Better is that it offers the perfect introduction to video poker.
This game’s pay table forms the backbone of every video poker variant. If you already know the Jacks or Better pay table, then you can quickly adapt to new payouts offered in games like Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Deuces Wild and Deuces Wild Bonus.
One more perk to Jacks or Better is that you’ll find its full pay version more often than any other video poker game. When available, full pay Jacks or Better gives you a chance to achieve up to 99.54% payback.
The only problem is that advanced strategy is more complex than the average player wants to deal with. For this reason, we recommend that beginners use the simplified strategy chart and go for 99.46% payback.
In any case, Jacks or Better is definitely worth playing if you’re looking for an alternative to slot machines that actually has strategy.
The most basic video poker game currently availabe is Jacks or Better. In fact,
almost all other video poker games are based on this game.
almost all other video poker games are based on this game.
This page includes the basics
for how to play Jacks or Better, the pay tables, and the right strategies to use
when playing. Use this guide to Jacks or Better video poker to improve your skills as
a video poker player.
for how to play Jacks or Better, the pay tables, and the right strategies to use
when playing. Use this guide to Jacks or Better video poker to improve your skills as
a video poker player.
Jacks or Better Basics and How It Differs from Slot Machine Games
We’ll assume for purposes of simplicity that you’re unfamiliar with video
poker in general. Free egt slot. Jacks or Better (and all other VP games) are gambling machines
which base their rules on five card draw poker.
poker in general. Free egt slot. Jacks or Better (and all other VP games) are gambling machines
which base their rules on five card draw poker.
But instead of playing against a bunch of buddies at the kitchen table,
you’re playing against a machine with a pay table. You don’t have to beat any
other hands to win, either-you just need a hand of a certain strength or higher.
The better your hand, the more you win.
you’re playing against a machine with a pay table. You don’t have to beat any
other hands to win, either-you just need a hand of a certain strength or higher.
The better your hand, the more you win.
A JoB game resembles a slot machine without the spinning reels. Instead,
you’re faced with a video screen displaying 5 playing cards.
you’re faced with a video screen displaying 5 playing cards.
It’s hard to overstate how important this difference is. Slot machines use
computer programs called random number generators to determine their results.
Video poker games like Jacks or Better do, too.
computer programs called random number generators to determine their results.
Video poker games like Jacks or Better do, too.
But there’s a big difference.
Slot machines feature arbitrary symbols with arbitrary probabilities for
coming up. A cherry might show up on a pay line once every ten spins, or it
might show up once every twenty spins. It’s impossible for you as a player to
ascertain that probability.
coming up. A cherry might show up on a pay line once every ten spins, or it
might show up once every twenty spins. It’s impossible for you as a player to
ascertain that probability.
In Jacks or Better, though, the random number generator is programmed to use
the same probabilities you’d see with a deck of cards. The odds of getting a
specific card is 1/52. The odds of getting a card of a specific suit is 1/4. The
odds of getting a card of a specific rank is 1/13.
the same probabilities you’d see with a deck of cards. The odds of getting a
specific card is 1/52. The odds of getting a card of a specific suit is 1/4. The
odds of getting a card of a specific rank is 1/13.
Both slot machine games and Jacks or Better game feature pay tables which
indicate how much a certain combination pays out.
Here’s an example:indicate how much a certain combination pays out.
On a slot machine, getting three cherries on a pay line might pay 100 for 1.
![9 6 Jacks Or Better Strategy 9 6 Jacks Or Better Strategy](https://free-video-poker-games.info/jacksorbetter/holdtwopairs.jpg)
But since you don’t know the probability of getting any of the symbols, it’s
impossible to determine the payback percentage for the machine. We know that the
average slot machine in Las Vegas has a payback percentage of something like 92%
or 93%, but it can vary wildly from casino to casino and from machine to
machine.
impossible to determine the payback percentage for the machine. We know that the
average slot machine in Las Vegas has a payback percentage of something like 92%
or 93%, but it can vary wildly from casino to casino and from machine to
machine.
With Jacks or Better, though, the payouts are based on poker hand rankings.
We know the probability of getting a specific hand, so we can calculate the
payback percentage for the game if we play it with correct strategy.
We know the probability of getting a specific hand, so we can calculate the
payback percentage for the game if we play it with correct strategy.
Which brings us to the second big difference between Jacks or Better and slot
machines:
machines:
Jacks or Better is a game of decisions that matter to your outcome. Slot
machines are entirely random.
machines are entirely random.
You get dealt a 5-card virtual hand in the first round of any Jacks or Better
game. You have the option of keeping or discarding each of those cards. You get
a replacement for any card you choose to discard.
game. You have the option of keeping or discarding each of those cards. You get
a replacement for any card you choose to discard.
Making the mathematically optimal decision on every hand is the challenge of
Jacks or Better video poker. You want to maximize the expected return for each
hand. Some of the correct decisions aren’t immediately obvious-although having
some experience as a poker player helps with “card sense”.
Jacks or Better video poker. You want to maximize the expected return for each
hand. Some of the correct decisions aren’t immediately obvious-although having
some experience as a poker player helps with “card sense”.
When you play poker versus other players, the hand rankings determine which
player wins. A royal flush beats a straight flush, a straight flush beats 4 of a
kind, 4 of a kind beats a full house, a full house beats a flush, a flush beats
a straight, a straight beats 3 of a kind, 3 of a kind beats 2 pair, and 2 pair
beats a pair.
player wins. A royal flush beats a straight flush, a straight flush beats 4 of a
kind, 4 of a kind beats a full house, a full house beats a flush, a flush beats
a straight, a straight beats 3 of a kind, 3 of a kind beats 2 pair, and 2 pair
beats a pair.
In traditional poker, the ranking of the cards matters. A pair of aces beats
a pair of kings, for example. This is only partially true in Jacks or Better.
a pair of kings, for example. This is only partially true in Jacks or Better.
If you have a pair of jacks or higher, you get a payoff. A pair of tens or
lower doesn’t pay off at all.
lower doesn’t pay off at all.
A Jacks or Better Pay Table Example
This is a reasonably common Jacks or Better pay table:
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000* |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
The first thing you’ll notice is that you can play between 1 and 5 coins on
each round.
each round.
*You should ALWAYS play for 5 coins.
The payoff for the royal flush skyrockets when you play for 5 coins, and this
makes a big difference to your bottom line over time. You’ll only see a royal
flush once in every 40,000 hands, which is probably once every 67 hours or so.
makes a big difference to your bottom line over time. You’ll only see a royal
flush once in every 40,000 hands, which is probably once every 67 hours or so.
But when you do, it makes up for a lot of your losses.
If you think you can’t afford to play for 5 coins, you should switch to a
lower denomination machine. If you can’t afford the dollar game, where a 5 coin
bet is $5, switch to the quarter machine. A 5-coin bet on it is $1.25.
lower denomination machine. If you can’t afford the dollar game, where a 5 coin
bet is $5, switch to the quarter machine. A 5-coin bet on it is $1.25.
We also need to point out the payoffs for the full house (9 for 1) and for
the flush (6 for 1).
the flush (6 for 1).
Not all Jacks or Better games have the same payouts for hands.
But most of the time, the hands they adjust the payoffs on are the full house
and the flush.
and the flush.
VP experts refer to a Jacks or Better game like the above as a “full pay” or
“9/6” game.
“9/6” game.
If you can find a machine with this pay table and play with perfect strategy,
you can achieve a payback percentage of 99.54%.
you can achieve a payback percentage of 99.54%.
This makes JoB video poker one of the best games in the casino, from a payoff
perspective.
perspective.
You’ll find 8/6, 8/5, and 7/5 Jacks or Better games a lot more often. The
numbers refer to the payoffs for the full house and the flush, respectively.
For Examplenumbers refer to the payoffs for the full house and the flush, respectively.
An 8/5 Jacks or Better pays off at 8 for 1 for a full house and
5 for 1 for a flush. The payback percentage on that game-if you play with
optimal strategy-is about 97.3%.
5 for 1 for a flush. The payback percentage on that game-if you play with
optimal strategy-is about 97.3%.
A 7/5 game has a payback percentage of 96.1%.
If you compare any of those numbers with the average slot machine, you’ll
notice that Jacks or Better video poker is always the better game.
notice that Jacks or Better video poker is always the better game.
But it’s hard to overstate the effect of a change from 9/6 to 8/5 on the pay
table.
table.
The difference between 99.54% and 97.3% doesn’t seem like much until you
compare it to your expected loss rate per hour.
compare it to your expected loss rate per hour.
If you play at an average speed (600 hands per hour), you’ll be putting $3000
per hour into action on a dollar Jacks or Better game.
per hour into action on a dollar Jacks or Better game.
The house edge (the amount the casino expects to win on every hand on average
over time) is 0.46% on the 9/6 game. (It’s just 99.54% subtracted from 100%.)
over time) is 0.46% on the 9/6 game. (It’s just 99.54% subtracted from 100%.)
If you lose 0.46% of $3000 every hour, your expected loss is $13.80.
That’s not a crazy amount of money to pay for an hour’s worth of
entertainment.
entertainment.
But if you lose 2.7% of $3000 per hour (which is the house edge for the 8/5
game), you’re looking at an average hourly loss of $81.
game), you’re looking at an average hourly loss of $81.
These small percentage points add up over time.
An average gambler might spend 4 days in Vegas and spend 4 hours a day
playing video poker. At these loss rates, we’re looking at an average loss per
trip of $220.80 versus $1296.
playing video poker. At these loss rates, we’re looking at an average loss per
trip of $220.80 versus $1296.
On the other hand, if you’re playing slot machines, you’re looking at lose 8%
or so per hour, or $240 per hour. Over 4 days, that’s a massive average loss of
$3840.
or so per hour, or $240 per hour. Over 4 days, that’s a massive average loss of
$3840.
Why Jacks or Better Video Poker Is SO Important
Jacks or Better is the basis for all other video poker variations. Most video
poker variations are just Jacks or Better with a dramatic change to the pay
table or Jacks or Better with the addition of wild cards. Of course, when you
add wild cards, the pay table is adjusted based on the new likelihood of getting
stronger hands.
poker variations are just Jacks or Better with a dramatic change to the pay
table or Jacks or Better with the addition of wild cards. Of course, when you
add wild cards, the pay table is adjusted based on the new likelihood of getting
stronger hands.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy
You probably remember that we mentioned the importance of playing the game
correctly, right?
correctly, right?
Below we offer some guidelines for playing the game correctly.
The first thing to understand is that if you have a pat hand made up of a 4
of a kind, straight flush, or royal flush, you won’t discard anything. You’ll
collect your winnings and move on to the next hand.
of a kind, straight flush, or royal flush, you won’t discard anything. You’ll
collect your winnings and move on to the next hand.
The next thing to understand is that if you have 4 cards to a royal flush,
you will always draw one card to try to hit that royal. The only exception is if
you have a pat straight flush.
Here’s an example:you will always draw one card to try to hit that royal. The only exception is if
you have a pat straight flush.
You have the 9TJQK of spades. That’s a straight flush. You could discard the
9 of spades and hope to get the ace of spades, giving you the jackpot. But the
correct move is to collect your sure thing.
9 of spades and hope to get the ace of spades, giving you the jackpot. But the
correct move is to collect your sure thing.
Jacks Or Better Strategy Card
Here’s why:
The probability of filling the royal flush is about 2%. That pays off at 800
for 1, for an expected value of 16 units.
for 1, for an expected value of 16 units.
But you also have a 100% chance of getting a 50 for 1 payoff. That’s an
expected value of 50 units
expected value of 50 units
You always go with the option that offers the better expected value.
The next set of pat hands consists of 3 of a kind, straight, flush, or full
house. If you’re dealt any of these hands, you’ll hang on to them unless you
also can draw to a royal flush.
house. If you’re dealt any of these hands, you’ll hang on to them unless you
also can draw to a royal flush.
Of course, if you have 3 of a kind or a full house, it’s impossible to have a
4-card draw to a royal flush.
4-card draw to a royal flush.
But suppose you have a straight, and 4 of those cards are of the same suit.
You should break the straight to draw to the royal flush, but not to just any
straight flush. The payoff for the straight flush isn’t high enough to make up
for the long odds of getting dealt the straight flush.
You should break the straight to draw to the royal flush, but not to just any
straight flush. The payoff for the straight flush isn’t high enough to make up
for the long odds of getting dealt the straight flush.
The next best hand after all these is a 4-card straight flush draw. It’s
worth going for if none of the other hands we’ve mentioned are an option.
worth going for if none of the other hands we’ve mentioned are an option.
Two pair, is, of course, a hand you should hold. You’ll obviously discard the
singleton to try to upgrade to a full house. But even if you miss, you’re
getting a payout.
singleton to try to upgrade to a full house. But even if you miss, you’re
getting a payout.
If you have a high pair, you’ll hold onto it and discard the other three
cards to try to upgrade to 3 of a kind or something even better. Even if you
miss, you’re still getting a payout.
cards to try to upgrade to 3 of a kind or something even better. Even if you
miss, you’re still getting a payout.
That’s it for the decisions between pat hands and drawing hands that might be
better than a pat hand. Notice that a lot of times, you’ll break the high pair
Zeus 3 slot. to go for a straight flush or a royal flush.
better than a pat hand. Notice that a lot of times, you’ll break the high pair
Zeus 3 slot. to go for a straight flush or a royal flush.
The hands you hold, if you have nothing better, are in the following order:
- Any open straight draw
(4 cards) - Any 2 high cards of
the same suit (You’re hoping for a high pair, flush, straight flush, or
royal) - Any 3 cards to a
straight flush. - Any 2 high cards that
are NOT of the same suit. - J 10, Q 10, or K 10,
of the same suit. - One high card.
- Start all over.
That’s not a perfect strategy, but it’s a lot closer to optimal than most
beginners will do. If you go through the preceding information carefully, you’ll
realize that Jacks or Better strategy has a lot to do with comparing one option
over another.
beginners will do. If you go through the preceding information carefully, you’ll
realize that Jacks or Better strategy has a lot to do with comparing one option
over another.
Jacks or Better Pay Tables
Below I’ve listed some other common pay tables for Jacks or Better along with
the payback percentage for each:
the payback percentage for each:
8/6 Jacks or Better – 98.4%
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000* |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 8 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
8/5 Jacks or Better – 97.3%
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000* |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 8 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
7/5 Jacks or Better – 96.14%
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000* |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 7 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
6/5 Jacks or Better – 95%
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000* |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 6 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Video Poker Jacks Or Better Strategy
Conclusion
Jacks Or Better Simple Strategy
Understanding Jacks or Better video poker is THE critical first step in
learning how to play video poker. It’s the most basic game, and most other games
are just variations of one kind or another. If you can find the right pay tables
(9/6) and play with close to optimal strategy, you can play one of the lowest
house edge games in the casino.
learning how to play video poker. It’s the most basic game, and most other games
are just variations of one kind or another. If you can find the right pay tables
(9/6) and play with close to optimal strategy, you can play one of the lowest
house edge games in the casino.