- How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Game
- How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Double
- How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Casino
- How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Now
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.
Easy no-download video poker! Jacks or Better, Bonus, Double Double, Deuces, Joker Poker, total of 17 variations plus perfect play trainer. Video poker has several variants, but the oldest is Jacks or Better, also known as Draw Poker. Is a great game and easy to play if you already know how to play five-card draw poker. It has an element of skill in addition to luck, compared with the pure luck of playing slot machines.
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. Jacks or Better (and all other VP games) are gambling machines
which base their rules on five card draw poker.
poker in general. 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.
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.
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. What does a high variance mean.
4-card draw to a royal flush. What does a high variance mean.
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
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
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 |
Conclusion
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.
- The right Jacks or Better video Poker strategy can improve your chances
- This guide shows you how to play Jacks or Better video Poker
- Use the Jacks or Better strategy card to your advantage
You know that video Poker is one of the games with the best odds — but can you really say that you know the ins and outs of the best video Poker strategy to improve your chances at Jacks or Better?
In this article, I am going to show you how to maximize your winning chances at video Poker and how to use the best Jacks or Better strategy to get the most value out of your cards.
The video Poker strategy tips on this article are not a surefire way to win at Jacks or Better.
Remember: Jacks or Better video Poker, like all the other games of its kind, is a gambling game.
As such, the house has always an advantage. With the right Jacks or Better video Poker strategy, you can reduce that advantage to a minimum and increase your chances to win.
Play the Best Video Poker Games!Check out the best full-pay games of Jacks or Better and get started with a welcome bonus!
Playstation casino games. Use the optimal strategy to play and the examples on this page to win more on your games of Jacks or Better video Poker (T&Cs apply)
Read MoreWhy Play Jacks or Better
Video poker is one of the most entertaining games one can play at a Casino — but if you think that's what makes the Jacks of Better variant as popular as it is today, you are wrong.
Video Poker happens to be also one of the Casino games which offer players the best return.
Why is video Poker so good for the players? When you play using the video Poker optimal strategy, on a full pay game, you can have an expected return of up to 99.54%.
Jacks or Better Basic Strategy: the Poker Hands
Let's start from the very basics of the Jacks of Better strategy to understand how to play Jacks or Better video Poker and improve your chances to win.
The first step to win your games of Jacks or Better video Poker, is to learn how Jacks or Better works and go through the rules of video Poker.
Only once you know the very basics of the game you can move to learn more about the various hard strengths in Poker.
Are you a Poker player? If so, this might sound quite obvious to you. Just don't forget this is a guide to the Jacks or Better video poker strategy for beginners.
The goal of a game of Jacks or Better video Poker is to end up with the best 5 card poker hand possible.
To do that, even before we jump on the optimal strategy and the best ways to play Jacks or Better video Poker online, you need to be familiar with how are the hands ranked in Poker.
- Royal Flush: The best possible hand you can have in Poker. This is a high straight (T-J-Q-K-A) where all the cards are of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: This five-card poker hand is similar to the Royal Flush. The difference is that any five-card straight of the same suit qualify.
- Four-of-a-Kind: As the name suggests, you need four of the same card denomination. Four kings are stronger than four deuces. And four Aces are stronger than four kings. This hand is often referred to as 'Quads'.
- Full House: Also known as a 'Boat', it results when you have a five-card hand composed by one pair and a three-of-a-kind.
- Flush: Occurs when you hold five cards of the same suit. If they happen to form a straight then you have a Straight or Royal flush as explained above.
- Straight: A five-card hand that form a consecutive sequence. For example, 4-5-6-7-8 or 9-T-J-Q-K
- Three-of-a-Kind: Three cards of the same hand value or denomination. This hand is also referred to as 'trips' or 'a set'.
- Two Pairs: Results when you hold two sets of pairs and a random card.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same hand denomination. In video Poker any pair that is Jacks or better results in a winning hand
- High Card: In a game of Poker, when you don't have a pair the highest single card wins. If you hold 3-4-7-8-K and your opponent holds 7-8-9-T-Q, you win because your highest card (K) beats their highest card (Q).
Want to win more? Play a Full-Pay game of Jacks or Better!
In a full-pay game of Jacks or Better, you win 2x your bet when you hold two pairs.
Best Jacks or Better video Poker Games Online
You should always look for full-pay games. Not only these come with larger prizes, but they have exactly the same RTP of the other games.
Many online Casinos do not specify the differences between their full-pay games of Jacks or Better and those that are not full-pay as they hope you'll choose what's best for them and not what is best for yourself.
To find the best full-pay games to play online (with a bonus), follow this advice:
Play the Best Video Poker Games!Check out the best full-pay games of Jacks or Better and get started with a welcome bonus!
Use the optimal strategy to play and the examples on this page to win more on your games of Jacks or Better video Poker (T&Cs apply)
Read MoreTop Jacks or Better Strategy to Improve Your Chances at Video Poker
A good video Poker strategy is all about taking actions that have the best possible expected rate of return. Obviously, you can't beat video poker in the sense that you'll win every time you play. That's not possible and it is not going to happen.
The game of Poker revolves around the probability of certain outcomes coming to fruition.
Understanding the odds of these outcomes in various situations is how professional Poker players gain an edge in the games they play.
Playing with the Jacks or Better optimal strategy allows for no mistakes and demands the strictest level of discipline.
A pair of Jacks or Better is the lowest winning hand in this game of video Poker. When you hit a pair of Jacks through to aces you win your money back
How to Play a Low Pair
The low pair is the most improvable hand you can be dealt with in a game of Jacks or Better video poker.
How you play in these situations will determine how close to optimal Jacks or Better video poker strategy you will land.
Most of the time the decision to hold onto a low pair is obvious. There are times however where certain possibilities are available and players get so greedy..they make mistakes.
These mistakes are what separates the winners from the losers.
Below you find some real-life example where, even though it would tempting to go for a big score, you should hold onto your pair and seek to build upon it.
- If you are dealt a low pair whilst having four to a straight, you should always keep your pair.E.g. If you are dealt 2-2-3-4-5 you should discard 3-4-5 and draw three cards. Don't give your 2s away.
- If you are dealt a low pair whilst having three to a straight flush, we want to keep our pair.E.g., when you have 4s-5s-6s-6h-Ad you need to keep your pair of sixes and draw three cards. This is the best strategy to play Jacks or Better video Poker.
- If you are dealt a low pair while having two of the cards that could lead to a royal flush, the Jacks or Better optimal play dictates that you should keep the pair.E.g. when you have 4h-4s-7c-Kd-Ad the play is to hold onto the two fours and abandon the chase for glory.
When to Break a Low Pair
Conversely, there are situations where the best Jacks or Better strategy to win at video Poker shows us that breaking a low pair is profitable over the long term.
- When dealt three to a Royal Flush and holding a low pair, you should always embark on a journey along the path to glory by breaking your low pair.E.g. If you have 3s-Jc-Jh-Qc-Kc you want to discard the 3s and Jh in search of the gold.
- When you have four to a flush along with a low pair, the correct play is to go for the flush.E.g. if you hold 6h-6d-9h-Qh-Kh you should ditch the 6 of diamonds and look for a fifth heart.
When to Keep a High Pair
A pair of Jacks or Better in video Poker constitutes a winning hand and you are guaranteed to get your money back.
Most tutorials advise that you should never break a high pair and for the most part, they are correct.
Below are some real-life situations where you may be tempted to break a pair of Jacks or better, in search of a bigger win.
However, the Jacks or Better optimal strategy demands a disciplined approach of holding onto what you already have.
How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Game
- When you have four to a flush that includes a pair of Jacks or better, you should always keep the high pair and discard the other 3 cards.Note that in the same situation with a low pair you would go for the flush.The reason for this is that the high pair is already a winning hand whereas the low pair is not, changing the maths considerably in your favour.
- Holding a high pair whilst also having four to a straight is another spot where holding onto your high pair is the correct play.The odds on you hitting the straight are not high enough to warrant foregoing a winning hand, that still has the possibility to improve.
- When you are dealt a hand containing three to a royal flush including a high pair it is certainly tempting to go for the Royal Flush.In this case, it pays to hold onto your pair.E.g. A hand made of 3h-Ts-Js-Qh-Qs looks great and has lots of potentials. However, the disciplined move is to keep your pair of ladies.
- Three to a straight flush whilst holding a high pair also looks great, however holding your pair is going to pay dividends over the long term.E.g. A hand like 4d-9h-Jh-Qd-Qh should again result in you holding onto those ladies.
There is one situation where Jacks or Better video poker optimal strategy indicates that players should break a high pair. When you hold a high pair with four to a royal flush you should break the pair and look to hit the 1 card that will pay off huge.
Breaking a Winning Pat Hand
When most players are dealt a winning pat hand such as a Straight, a Full House, or any form or Flush, you should hold all your cards and take the win. Indian casino reviews.
This is correct for the most part. However, you will leave some edge on the table unless you make the following adjustments.
Although this may seem crazy, it happens to be backed up by solid math around the probability of certain outcomes occurring.
- When dealt a pat flush such as 5-9-T-J-Q-K we also have what is called four to a Royal Flush. In this situation the correct play is to discard the 5 and go for the Royal Flush.
- When dealt a pat straight that is also four to a Royal Flush such a Ts-Js-Qh-Ks-As, we should discard the Qh and go for the royal. The payoff when we hit the Qs is worth it.
Optimal Strategy Recap
Playing Jacks or Better video poker in an optimal way maximises your expected return as a player.
It takes extensive practice to understand each situation and the relevant action necessary to play perfectly.
How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Double
You should employ the use of a Jacks or better strategy trainer to test yourself and practice your play.
The more efficient you get in making these decisions to faster you will start to play at an optimal level.
The main concept behind playing video Poker profitably is discipline.
The math is clear around the probabilities involved with certain outcomes and all that is left is for you to make decisions on your actions based upon those probabilities.
Using statistics is always the right move. Learn to rely on numbers rather than on emotions, and you'll become a better player right away.
Play the Best Video Poker Games!Check out the best full-pay games of Jacks or Better and get started with a welcome bonus!
Use the optimal strategy to play and the examples on this page to win more on your games of Jacks or Better video Poker (T&Cs apply)
How To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Casino
Read MoreHow To Win At Video Poker Jacks Or Better Now
Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That’s what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!