Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker variants found in land-based and online casinos. As the name suggests, a pair of jacks or better is required to qualify for a payout. While the game may seem purely based on luck at first, following the perfect strategy can dramatically increase your odds and payout rate.
Basic Rules and Gameplay
The rules of Jacks or Better are relatively simple. You are dealt five cards and can choose to hold any number of them. The cards you do not hold are replaced. Your final five-card hand is then evaluated based on the standard poker hand rankings. Most video poker games at NeoSpin Australia, including Jacks or Better, use a 52-card deck with no jokers.
To qualify for a payout, you need at least a pair of jacks. The payouts increase for better hands:
- Pair of Jacks or Better: Even money
- Two Pair: 2:1
- Three of a Kind: 3:1
- Straight: 4:1
- Flush: 6:1
- Full House: 9:1
- Four of a Kind: 50:1
- Straight Flush: 200:1
- Royal Flush: 800:1
Perfect Strategy for Jacks or Better
While Jacks or Better includes an element of luck in the cards you are dealt, following the mathematically optimal strategy can greatly improve your odds and overall payout rate. The perfect strategy was created by computer analysis to determine the best way to play each hand for the highest return.
When to Hold, Fold or Draw Cards
The basic guidelines for perfect Jacks or Better strategy are:
- Always hold royal flushes, straight flushes, four of a kind, full houses, flushes, straights, three of a kind and two pair.
- Break up lower pairs to try to improve. For example, split a pair of 4s or lower and try for a straight, flush or higher pair.
- Keep a high pair instead of an inside straight or flush draw. For example, keep jacks or better over four cards in sequence or suited cards of the same suit.
- Draw to flushes and open-ended straight draws (four sequential cards with a gap) if you don’t have at least jacks or better already.
The following are optimal plays for some sample hands:
| Cards Dealt | Perfect Strategy |
| 2 spades, 2 hearts, 5 diamonds, 8 clubs, A diamonds | Hold the pair of 2s |
| K hearts, K spades, 3 diamonds, 8 hearts, 5 clubs | Hold the pair of kings |
| 4 hearts, 5 hearts, 6 hearts, 7 hearts, 9 spades | Draw for the royal flush |
| 4 diamonds, 5 diamonds, 6 diamonds, K spades, A diamonds | Draw for the flush |
| 7 spades, 8 hearts, 9 diamonds, 10 clubs, J spades | Draw for the straight |
Ranking Video Poker Hands
When mastering any video poker game, it helps to thoroughly understand hand rankings. Hands are ranked from highest to lowest as follows in Jacks or Better:
1. Royal Flush
A straight from ten to ace with all five cards of the same suit. The payout is typically 800:1.
2. Straight Flush
Any five consecutive cards of the same suit. Payout is around 200:1.
3. Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank. If you hold 4 cards to a 4 of a kind, draw for the highest possible fifth card. Payout is usually about 50:1.
4. Full House
Three of a kind combined with a pair. Hold all five cards when dealt a full house. Typical payout is 9:1.
5. Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, not consecutive. Check if you hold four suited cards. Payout averages around 6:1.
6. Straight
Five consecutive cards with at least two different suits. Try drawing if dealt four in a row. Payout is normally 4:1.
7. Three of a Kind
Three cards of equal rank. Always hold three of a kind. Standard payout is 3:1.
8. Two Pair
Two sets of cards with the same rank. Two jacks or higher generally qualify for a payout. Payout is 2:1.
9. Pair of Jacks or Better
A single pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces. Hold any pair from jack upwards. Payout is 1:1.
Use Optimal Strategy
While Jacks or Better involves some luck in which cards you are initially dealt, using the mathematically optimal strategy dramatically increases your odds and expected payout over time. Understanding perfect play for each hand takes practice, but is worth learning. Combining optimal strategy with proper bankroll management will give you the best overall results in Jacks or Better video poker.