As you already know, video poker is based on classic five-card draw poker. Although there are many variants of the game, the most popular is Jacks or Better. Since it is the original version, based on five-card draw poker, many fans of the classic game enjoy playing Jacks or Better.
Another reason Jacks or Better is preferred by many casino devotees is the significant edge you can gain by using the proper strategy. Video poker definitely has a higher RTP compared with many other casino games, and Jacks or Better is a title that can promise a generous expected return.
While it is true that Jacks or Better provides wonderful opportunities for fruitful play, you still need to recognize which variations are worth your time and which you should avoid. To do so, check the payouts for winning hands and use the strategy that applies to the exact game you are playing.
How to Play Jacks or Better
Whenever you are looking for a thrilling and rewarding game, you can always choose to make real-money bets on Jacks or Better. If you know the rules of five-card draw poker, you will have no trouble playing this video poker variation. However, unlike traditional poker, you do not bet against other players, and bluffing or raising is not part of the gameplay.
To receive a payout in Jacks or Better, you need at least a pair of Jacks. A great benefit of all video poker versions is that even if you are not dealt a winning hand on the initial draw, you can replace some or all of your cards and form an entirely new hand that offers a better payout. The same applies to Jacks or Better and, if you find a high-paying variation and use an optimal strategy, you can enjoy extremely fruitful gameplay.
How to Play Jacks or Better Additional TipsYou start the game by deciding how many coins to wager. Usually, the maximum bet is 5 credits, and their denomination can be 25¢, $1, or even more. Players are generally advised to bet the maximum number of coins because it is the only way to qualify for the top payout on a Royal Flush.
Once you receive your initial hand, decide which cards to hold and which to discard. The cards you discard are then replaced with random cards from the deck. To secure better payouts, you must form the best hand possible. For that reason, you need to know the hand rankings in Jacks or Better and understand the payout for each hand.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Gameplay
Variations of Jacks or Better and Their Paytables
If you want to play Jacks or Better, remember that there are several variations of the game. You can distinguish them by their payout tables, allowing you to pick the version that offers the best odds and ensures a profitable session.
Full-Pay Jacks or Better
Just like with other video poker variations, Jacks or Better will give you the biggest advantage if you play a full-pay version. This is also known as 9/6 Jacks or Better thanks to the payouts of 9 to 1 for a Full House and 6 to 1 for a Flush. Those two hands will show you whether the version you have come across is a full-pay one. If either of these hands pays less, there is no doubt that you have found a short-pay option. If you use optimal strategy on a full-pay version of Jacks or Better, you can enjoy an expected return of 99.54%.
The paytable for 9/6 looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 up to 4,000 coins for betting 5 coins |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 to 1 |
| Full House | 9 to 1 |
| Flush | 6 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 to 1 |
8/5 Jacks or Better
While video poker aficionados will benefit the most from playing a full-pay version of Jacks or Better, sometimes it is difficult to find one. Players can then opt for an 8/5 version, which can be easily spotted because the payouts for a Full House and a Flush have been lowered to 8 to 1 and 5 to 1, respectively. While you cannot achieve the same advantage as with the full-pay version, when using an optimal strategy, you can enjoy a 97.30% RTP.
The paytable for 8/5 looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 up to 4,000 coins for betting 5 coins |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 to 1 |
| Full House | 8 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 to 1 |
While 8/5 Jacks or Better is less advantageous, many variants of the game incorporate a progressive jackpot. As explained in our article about progressive video poker, games with a cumulative jackpot do not have a fixed house edge. Therefore, a Jacks or Better variation with a progressive jackpot can provide an expected return comparable to the full-pay version.
Bonus Poker Deluxe Jacks or Better 8/5
In addition to progressive jackpots, you can find other ways to increase your returns on an 8/5 Jacks or Better machine. Some games pay bonuses for specific winning hands, making the gameplay more lucrative. One such variant is Bonus Poker Deluxe Jacks or Better 8/5. If you use the correct strategy, you can achieve an expected return of 97.40%, which is higher than the standard 8/5 version of Jacks or Better.
The paytable for Bonus Poker Deluxe Jacks or Better 8/5 looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 up to 4,000 coins for betting 5 coins |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 80 to 1 |
| Full House | 8 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 to 1 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 to 1 |
As you can see, this version pays 80 to 1 for Four of a Kind, much higher than the typical 25 to 1. The boosted payout significantly improves your expected return. If you find Bonus Poker Deluxe Jacks or Better with an 8/6 paytable, the RTP rises to 98.49%, and if you are lucky enough to locate a 9/6 version, you will play with an RTP of 99.64%, which is even better than the full-pay Jacks or Better variant.
Double Bonus Jacks or Better 9/6
This is another interesting Jacks or Better variant. Although some hands pay more, the minimum hand that earns a payout is higher. In Double Bonus Jacks or Better, you need at least Three of a Kind to get paid. If you use an optimal strategy, you can enjoy an expected return of 98.98%, making it one of the best options available in the casino.
The paytable for Double Bonus Jacks or Better 9/6 looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 up to 4,000 coins for betting 5 coins |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four Aces | 160 to 1 |
| Four 2s, 3s or 4s | 80 to 1 |
| Four 5s – Kings | 50 to 1 |
| Full House | 9 to 1 |
| Flush | 6 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 to 1 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 to 1 |
As you can see, making any Four of a Kind hand on this variation of Jacks or Better will be very rewarding. This is why many video poker devotees take pleasure in playing this game and enjoy a fruitful experience when they use the right strategy.
Double Bonus Jacks or Better 10/7
Another popular Double Bonus variation is the 10/7 version. The paytable indicates that a Full House pays 10 to 1, while a Flush pays 7 to 1. This Jacks or Better variant offers generous payouts for several hands but also introduces some changes to the paytable. Although the expected return does not exceed 100%, you will still enjoy excellent odds with optimal play. The RTP for Double Bonus Jacks or Better 10/7, when played perfectly, is estimated at 99.71%.
The paytable for Double Bonus Jacks or Better 10/7 looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 and an increase to 4,000 coins for betting 5 coins |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four Aces | 160 to 1 |
| Four 2s, 3s or 4s | 80 to 1 |
| Four 5s – Kings | 50 to 1 |
| Full House | 10 to 1 |
| Flush | 7 to 1 |
| Straight | 5 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 to 1 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 to 1 |
As you can see, you have higher payouts for Full House, Flush, and Straight. However, the 10/7 variant of Double Bonus also makes changes when you place the maximum bet. When staking 5 coins, you will win only 239 credits on a Straight Flush, instead of 250.
Jacks or Better Strategy
While video poker offers a lucrative experience thanks to its low house edge, the best way to increase your advantage is to use a basic strategy. To achieve the best possible outcome in Jacks or Better, you must know the specific strategy that maximizes your payouts.
Before you put any strategy into practice, make sure you have chosen the video poker game that offers the highest payouts. Doing so will boost your bankroll significantly. You can easily print strategy charts and use them at both land-based and online casinos.
The basic strategy for Jacks or Better helps you decide which cards are worth holding when you are dealt a specific hand.
If you are holding a Royal Flush, Four of a Kind, or a Straight Flush, keep all of your cards. If you have four cards to a Straight Flush, discard only the fifth card, even if doing so would create a lower-paying hand.
Jacks or Better Additional Strategy TipsYou should keep several hands when they appear on the first draw. These include Two Pair, a Pair of Jacks or better, three cards to a Royal Flush, four cards to a Flush, a low pair of 10s or lower, four cards to an open Straight, two suited high cards (Jacks or better), and three cards to a Straight Flush. You should also hold any two cards that are accompanied by a Jack or higher. If you have more than two connected cards, hold the two lowest, as this choice maximizes your chances of completing a Straight.
Whenever you are dealt suited J-Q-K, hold the hand. A single high card (Jack or better) is also worth keeping. If your hand contains none of the combinations listed above, discard all five cards and draw new ones from the deck.
Tips to Improve Your Jacks or Better Play
Video poker is an entertaining casino game, and players who understand how to maximize its potential will enjoy a very rewarding experience. To boost your winnings in Jacks or Better, follow a few simple tips that will elevate your gameplay.
One of the most important things to remember is the variation of video poker you are about to play for real money. Take a careful look at the paytable of each Jacks or Better variant you encounter and settle for the option that provides the most lucrative outcome. This will give you better odds and a higher expected return, even if you do not hit the top-paying hand. While full-pay variants are the best, they are difficult to find, which means you may have to pick a game with slightly lower payouts.
Use the correct strategy to help you make the best decision every time. Since you are playing Jacks or Better, do not rely on a strategy that applies to a different version of video poker. Furthermore, some Jacks or Better machines offer higher payouts for certain hands, which means the optimal strategy may shift toward pursuing those hands more often.
Last but not least, set the amount of time you are willing to play and the bankroll you are prepared to stake. If you cannot afford large wagers, choose video poker games with lower coin denominations. This way, you will be able to make maximum bets but stake a lower amount. If you happen to be on a losing streak, forget about chasing your losses. Once you have reached your spending limit, stop playing. If you keep these simple tips in mind, you can definitely enjoy a fun and rewarding Jacks or Better experience.