- Jacks Or Better Strategy Trainer
- Jacks Or Better Strategy Card
- Jacks Or Better Basic Strategy
- Video Poker Jacks Or Better Basic Strategy
- Basic Strategy Video Poker Jacks Or Better
(Part 1) A real tutorial. Learn how to win at Jacks or Better video poker.Play longer, win more jackpots - more Royal Flush wins - and rack up points on your. Jacks or Better Simple Strategy Using the simple strategy for Jacks or Better will theoretically result in an RTP of 99.46%. All you have to do is find out the best ways you can play your first hand. Obviously, this will depend on the cards you’ve been dealt.
Jacks or Better Short-term Playing Strategy
The following is taken from Power Video Poker,
the Only Video Poker Book You'll Ever Need!
The following chart shows the Simplified Playing Strategy for all versions of Jacks of Better video poker.While this playing strategy was developed for short-term play, you may use it for long-term play as well giving up only a few hundreds of a percent of potential return.
Simplified Playing Strategy for Jacks or Better
Hand to be held | Cards held | Cards drawn |
5 | 0 | |
Straight Flush | 5 | 0 |
Four of a Kind | 5 | 0 |
Full House | 5 | 0 |
Four to a Royal Flush | 4 | 1 |
Flush | 5 | 0 |
Three of a Kind | 3 | 2 |
Straight | 5 | 0 |
Four to a Straight Flush | 4 | 1 |
Two Pair | 4 | 1 |
High Pair | 2 | 3 |
Three to a Royal Flush | 3 | 2 |
Four to a Flush | 4 | 1 |
Low Pair | 2 | 3 |
Four to a Straight | 4 | 1 |
Three to a Straight Flush | 3 | 2 |
Two to a Royal Flush | 2 | 3 |
Two High Cards | 2 | 3 |
One High Card | 1 | 4 |
Nothing | 0 | 5 |
Explanation of Simplified Playing Strategy for Jacks or Better
The chart above lists the hierarchy of hands to be played in Jacks or Better video poker games.The higher the hand is in the chart, the greater its value.For example, Three of a Kind is ranked higher than a Straight and Two Pair outranks a High Pair.
Hand to be Held- Refers to the hand dealt to you with the first five cards.You will always keep a hand that is closer to the top of the chart.
Cards Held – the number of cards you will keep of the original cards dealt.
Cards Drawn – the number of card you will draw.For example, if you are dealt a High Pair, keep the pair and draw three cards.
Explanation of terms:
1.The term high refers to any card ranked Jack or higher.The term low refers to cards less than a Jack in value.Ace, King, Queen and Jack are high cards.2 through 10 are low cards.
2.A Royal Flush is refers to five sequential cards of the same suit staring with a 10 and ending with an Ace.For example, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of spades.This is the top hand for Jacks of Better.
3.A Straight Flush refers to five sequential cards of the same suit but not starting with a 10 and ending with an Ace.For example, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack of hearts.
4.Four of a Kind refers to four cards of the same number or picture card.For example, four 2s or four Kings.
5.Full House consists of a hand with three cards of the same number or same picture card and two cards of the same number or same picture card.For example, three 6s and two Queens.
6.Four to a Royal Flush means that you have four of the five cards needed to make a Royal Flush.For example, if you have Jack, Queen, King and Ace of diamonds.In this case you only need one card, the Ten of diamonds to complete the Royal Flush.
7.Flush consists of five card of the same suit.For example 2 4 5 8 9 and Jack of spades.
8.Three of a Kind is three cards of the same number or same picture card.For example, three Jacks or three 7s.
9.Straight is five cards all in sequential order but not of the same suit.For example, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 or mixed suits.
10.Four to a Straight Flush means that you have four of the five cards needed to make a Straight Flush.For example, if you have 4, 5, 6 and 7 of spades.
11.Two Pair refers to two pairs of the card of the same number or card picture.For example, two 4s and two 9s.
12.High Pair is a pair of cards valued Jack or Higher.For example, a pair of Jacks or a pair of Kings
13.Three to a Royal Flush means that you have three of the five cards needed to make a Royal Flush.
14.Four to a Flush consists of four cards of the same suit.For example, 4, 7, 9 and Jack of diamonds.
15.Low Pair is two of the same cards valued ten or lower.For example two 5s or two 9s.
16.Four to a Straight consists of four cards in order but not of the same suit.For example 4,5, 6 and 7 of mixed suits.
17.Three to a Straight Flush means that you have three cards in order and of the same suit to make a Straight Flush.For example, 3, 4, 5 or hearts or 5, 6, 7 of clubs.
18.Two to a Royal Flush means you have two of the cards in order of the same suit to secure a Royal Flush.For example, a Queen and King of hearts or a Jack and Queen of spades.
19.Two High Cards means two cards which are not a pair valued as Jacks or better.For example, Jack, Ace.
20.One High Card refers to one card ranked Jack or better.For example, if you have one King or just one Ace.
21.Nothing means that none of your cards will make any of the hands mentioned above in the first five cards dealt to you.
Let’s take another look at the playing chart and consider some of the decisions you will have to make when you follow this playing strategy.
1.Whenever you hold Four Cards to a Royal Flush discard the fifth card even if that card gives you a flush or a pair.
2.A High Pair, Three of a Kind, a Straight and a Flush all outrank Three to a Royal Flush.Play the Three to a Royal Flush when you have lesser hands such as Four to a Flush or a Low Pair.
3.With Two Cards to a Royal Flush keep Four to a Straight, Four to a Flush or a High Pair.Otherwise, go for the Royal Flush.
4.Never break up a made Straight or a Flush, unless one card gives you a chance to make a Royal Flush.Another way of saying this is that you will give up a Straight or Flush if you only need only card to make a Royal Flush.
5.Keep a High Pair over Four to a Straight or Four to a Flush.
6.You will never break up Four of a Kind, a Full House,Three of a Kind or Two Pair.The worthless cards for the last two hands will be discarded.
7.Always keep a High Pair unless you have Four Cards to a Royal Flush or Four to a Straight Flush.
8.Keep a Low Pair over Four to a Straight or Three to a Straight Flush.However, you will discard them in favor or Four to a Flush or Three or Four to a Royal Flush.
9.If you are dealt an unmade hand you will try to improve them in the following order:
Four to a Royal Flush and Straight Flush, Three to a Royal Flush, Four to a Flush, Four to a Straight, Three to a Straight Flush, Two to a Royal Flush, Two High Cards and one High Card.Any of these nonpaying hands can, with the right draws, turn into winning hands.
10.Lacking any of the above, that is numbered cards 1 to 9, with no card Jack or higher, discard all of the cards and draw five fresh ones.
This strategy can be applied to the
following versions of Jacks or Better:
1.Jacks or Better
2.Bonus Poker
3.Bonus Poker Deluxe
4.White Hot Aces Bonus Poker
5.Double Bonus Poker
6.Double Double Bonus Poker
7.Triple Bonus Bonus Poker
8.Triple Bonus Jacks or Better
9.Super Double Bonus Poker
Jacks Or Better Strategy Trainer
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| The best way to learn our Jacks or Better Strategy is to use it as you play. We recommend practicing at Bovada Casino. Bovada Casino offers Jacks or Better for single hand play as well as three hand, ten hand, and fifty-two hand play. Plus, you can play with practice money before you try it for real. Also, Bovada Casino is open to all USA players. Practice Jacks or Better at Bovada Casino now! |
On this page I've devised what I believe to be the perfect strategy for playing Jacks or Better video poker. By using the charts on this page you can achieve a payout percentage of 99.54% at full pay video poker, which is the highest mathematical return I've been able to achieve. Please keep in mind that this strategy was created for full pay Jacks or Better games. Here is an example of a full pay Jacks or Better pay table:
| Hand: | Payout: |
| Royal Flush | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 |
| Full House | 9 |
| Flush | 6 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Pair (Jacks or Better) | 1 |
The pay table above assumes you're betting five coins per hand. If you bet less than five coins per hand the royal flush will pay out less, and your return will go down. Also, if you're playing one of the other Jacks or Better pay tables this strategy will still be good, but not perfect.
Jacks Or Better Strategy Card
Beginner Jacks or Better Strategy
If you want to play with decent strategy and increase your odds without following the full chart below, you should follow the rules listed here. We've identified the most troublesome hands for new players, and advised the correct move for each hand. To use this strategy, play your normal game and make the easy decisions, and if you come upon a tough decision refer to the rules below.
Here is how you should use the chart below:
- Find your trouble hand on the chart.
- Follow the chart's recommendation.
Example: Imagine you have Kc-Qc-Jc-Tc-9c. In this case you have a straight flush, but you also have a royal flush draw. By looking at the chart below, you'll see that a straight flush is better than a royal flush draw, so make sure to keep the straight flush and take your payout.
- Royal Flush Draw vs. Pat Straight Flush » Keep the Straight Flush
- Royal Flush Draw vs. Pat Flush » Keep the Royal Flush Draw
- Pat Straight vs. Four to a Straight Flush » Keep the Straight
- Open Four to a Straight Flush vs. Two Pair » Keep the Four to a Straight Flush
- Inside Four to a Straight Flush vs. Two Pair » Keep the Two Pair
- Four to a Straight Flush vs. High Pair » Keep the Four to a Straight Flush
- High Pair (Jacks or Better) vs. Four to a Flush » Keep the High Pair
- Four to a Flush vs. Four to a Straight » Keep the Four to a Flush
- High Pair (Jacks or Better) vs. Open Four to Straight » Keep the High Pair
- Low Pair (Twos - Tens) vs. Open Four to a Straight » Keep the Low Pair
- Inside Straight Draw vs. Discard All » Keep the Straight Draw
Expert Jacks or Better Strategy
Here is how you should use the chart below:
- Start at the top of the chart and work down.
- When you see a hand that matches up with yours, follow that strategy.
Example: Imagine you have Qs-Js-Ts-3s-Jh. In this case, you'd match up with a few rows on the table below. Your hand would qualify for a high pair of Jacks, a Q-J-T suited with one penalty (the other Jack is a penalty card), and four to a flush. However, on the table you'll notice that Q-J-T suited with one penalty is higher than a four flush or a pair, so you should keep the Q-J-T suited and ditch the four flush and pair.
Jacks or Better Full Strategy Chart
Here are the ranks for every possible Jacks or Better hand you can hold before the draw. Remember, find the highest match on the list for your hand and hold those cards. The middle column shows the expected return for the specific hand. In the example column, h = Hearts, s = Spades, c = Clubs, d = Diamonds, T = Ten, s = Suited.
Jacks Or Better Basic Strategy
| Hand | Expected Return | Example |
| Pat Royal Flush | 800.0000 | Th-Jh-Qh-Kh-Ah |
| Pat Straight Flush | 50.0000 | 6h-7h-8h-9h-Th |
| Pat Four of a Kind | 25.0000 | 6c-6s-6d-6h-9s |
| Royal Flush Draw | 18.4255 | Th-Jh-Qh-Kh-4h |
| Pat Full House | 9.0000 | Ac-Ad-As-Js-Jc |
| Pat Flush | 6.0000 | Ac-Jc-6c-5c-4c |
| Three of a Kind | 4.3080 | 8c-8s-8d-9h-3d |
| Pat Straight | 4.0000 | 4c-5s-6h-7h-8h |
| Open Straight Flush Draw | 3.4809 | 4c-5c-6c-7c-Th |
| Two Pair | 2.5957 | 3c-3s-4d-4h-Ac |
| Inside Straight Flush Draw | 2.2766 | Qs-Js-9s-8s-4c |
| High Pair (Jacks or Better) | 1.5405 | Ac-Ad-Js-8c-5h |
| K-Q-J suited (w/ no penalty*) | 1.5328 | Kh-Qh-Jh-4c-3c |
| Q-J-T suited (w/ no penalty*) | 1.5291 | Qh-Jh-Th-4d-3d |
| Q-J-T suited (w/ one Straight penalty*) | 1.5116 | Qh-Jh-Th-Kc-2c |
| K-Q-J suited (w/ one Straight penalty*) | 1.5032 | Kh-Qh-Jh-Tc-4c |
| K-Q-J suited (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 1.4829 | Kh-Qh-Jh-Js-3s |
| Q-J-T suited (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 1.4792 | Qh-Jh-Th-Jc-4s |
| Q-J-T suited (w/ any two penalties*) | 1.4496 | Qs-Js-Ts-Kh-Jc |
| K-Q-J suited (w/ any two penalties*) | 1.4385 | Kh-Qh-Jh-Jc-Ts |
| A-K-Qs, A-K-Js, A-Q-Js (w/ no penalty*) | 1.4366 | Ac-Kc-Jc-2h-3h |
| K-Q-T suited, K-J-T suited (w/ no penalty*) | 1.4329 | Kh-Qh-Th-4c-3c |
| A-K-Qs, A-K-Js, A-Q-Js (w/ one Straight penalty*) | 1.4191 | Ac-Kc-Qc-Jh-2h |
| K-Q-Ts, K-J-Ts (w/ one Straight penalty*) | 1.4154 | Kh-Qh-Th-Jc-2c |
| A-K-Qs, A-K-Js, A-Q-Js (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 1.3867 | Ac-Kc-Qc-5c-4s |
| K-Q-Ts, K-J-Ts (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 1.3830 | Kc-Qc-Tc-4c-2h |
| A-K-Qs, A-K-Js, A-Q-Js (w/ two penalties*) | 1.3691 | Ac-Kc-Qc-Ts-4c |
| K-Q-T suited, K-J-T suited (w/ two penalties*) | 1.3654 | Kh-Qh-Th-Jc-Qc |
| A-K-Ts, A-Q-Ts, A-J-Ts (w/ no penalty*) | 1.3367 | Ac-Kc-Tc-6h-2h |
| A-K-Ts, A-Q-Ts, A-J-Ts (w/ one St. penalty*) | 1.3080 | Ac-Kc-Tc-Jh-2s |
| A-K-Ts, A-Q-Ts, A-J-Ts (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 1.2868 | Ac-Kc-Tc-4c-2s |
| Four to a Flush, Two High Cards | 1.2766 | Ac-Jc-4c-3c-2h |
| A-K-Ts, A-Q-Ts, A-J-Ts (w/ two penalties*) | 1.2692 | Ac-Kc-Tc-Jh-2c |
| Four to a Flush, One High Card | 1.2127 | Jc-7c-4c-2c-8s |
| Four to a Flush, No High Cards | 1.1489 | 9c-7c-4c-2c-8s |
| Open Four to a Straight (Three High Cards) | 0.8723 | Kc-Qh-Js-Ts-3h |
| Pair of Twos through Tens | 0.8237 | 5c-5h-Js-8d-2h |
| Open Four to a Straight (Two High Cards) | 0.7979 | Qh-Js-Ts-9c-3h |
| Open Four to a Straight (One High Card) | 0.7447 | Js-Ts-9c-8h-3h |
| Q-J-9 suited | 0.7280 | Qc-Jc-9c-4h-3h |
| J-T-9 suited | 0.7216 | Jc-Tc-9c-4h-3h |
| Open Four to a Straight (No High Cards) | 0.6809 | Ts-9c-8h-7c-3h |
| Q-J-8 suited | 0.6348 | Qc-Jc-8c-6h-4h |
| Three to a Straight Flush, Open, No High Cards | 0.6300 | 4c-5c-6c-Th-9h |
| K-Q-9 suited, K-J-9 suited | 0.6253 | Kc-Qc-9c-4h-2h |
| Q-J suited (w/ no penalty*) | 0.6245 | Qc-Jc-4h-8s-2h |
| Q-T-9 suited, J-T-8 suited, J-9-8 suited | 0.6189 | Jc-9c-8c-4h-3h |
| Q-J suited (w/ one penalty*) | 0.6079 | Qc-Jc-4c-8s-2h |
| K-Q suited, K-J suited (w/ no penalty*) | 0.6063 | Kc-Qc-8s-4h-2s |
| Q-J suited (w/ two penalties*) | 0.6000 | Qs-Js-Th-6c-4s |
| A-K-Q-J | 0.5938 | Ac-Ks-Jh-Ts-3s |
| Q-J suited (w/ three penalties*) | 0.5902 | Qs-Js-Tc-8c-2s |
| K-Qs, K-Js (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 0.5896 | Ks-Qs-8s-6h-2h |
| K-Qs, K-Js (w/ one or two Straight penalties*) | 0.5888 | Ks-Qs-Jc-9c-2h |
| A-Ks, A-Qs, A-Js (w/ no penalty*) | 0.5880 | Ac-Kc-6s-9d-2h |
| K-Qs, K-Js (w/ 1 St. penalty + 1 Flush penalty*) | 0.5847 | Ks-Qs-Tc-6s-4d |
| A-Ks, A-Qs, A-Js (w/ one Straight penalty*) | 0.5794 | As-Ks-Tc-2h-6h |
| K-Qs, K-Js (w/ three penalties*) | 0.5721 | Ks-Qs-Th-Td-2s |
| A-Ks, A-Qs, A-Js (w/ one or two penalties*) | 0.5714 | Ac-Kc-5c-2h-3h |
| 3 to a St. Flush, 2 Gaps, 1 High Card | 0.5375 | 8h-Th-Qh-9c-2s |
| Four to a Straight, Inside, Three High Cards | 0.5319 | Qc-Js-Ts-8d-2h |
| 3 to a St. Flush, 1 Gap, 0 Hi Cards | 0.5301 | 4h-5h-7h-9c-Tc |
| 3 to a St. Flush, 2 Gaps, 1 Hi Card, 1 St. Penalty* | 0.5227 | Jc-9c-7c-8s-2s |
| J-T suited (w/ no penalty*) | 0.5153 | Jc-Tc-6s-4d-2d |
| K-Q-J | 0.5153 | Kh-Qs-Jc-4c-2h |
| Q-J | 0.5038 | Qc-Jh-7d-5c-2h |
| J-T suited (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 0.4987 | Js-Ts-6s-4c-2h |
| K-Q, K-J (w/ no Straight penalty*) | 0.4940 | Ks-Qc-8h-5h-3d |
| J-T suited (w/ one or two Straight penalties*) | 0.4929 | Js-Ts-8c-7c-2h |
| K-Q, K-J (w/ one or more Straight penalties*) | 0.4901 | Kc-Qs-9d-5h-2c |
| Q-T suited (w/ no Flush penalties*) | 0.4873 | Qc-Tc-7s-5h-2s |
| J-Ts (w/ 1 Straight penalty + 1 Flush penalty*) | 0.4841 | Js-Ts-8c-2s-5h |
| J-T suited (w/ three penalties*) | 0.4790 | Js-Ts-7c-Ad-2s |
| AK, AQ, AJ | 0.4783 | Ac-Ks-8s-7c-2h |
| Jack (w/ no flush penalty*) | 0.4769 | Jd-9s-7c-4h-2h |
| K-T suited (w/ no flush penalty*) | 0.4715 | Kc-Tc-7s-5d-2d |
| Q-T suited (w/ one flush penalty*) | 0.4698 | Qc-Tc-7c-5h-2h |
| Queen | 0.4680 | Qc-9d-7d-4s-2s |
| King (w/ no flush penalty*) | 0.4663 | Kc-9h-8d-4s-2s |
| Jack (w/ one or more Flush penalties*) | 0.4650 | Jd-8d-5d-3s-2s |
| Ace (w/ no flush penalty*) | 0.4635 | Ad-Tc-7s-4s-2h |
| K-Ts (w/ one Flush penalty*) | 0.4622 | Kc-Tc-8c-5h-2s |
| King (w/ one or more Flush penalties*) | 0.4619 | Kh-Ts-8d-5h-2c |
| Ace (w/ one or more flush penalties*) | 0.4579 | Ah-Th-7s-5c-2d |
| 3 to a St. Flush, 2 Gaps, No Hi Cards | 0.4376 | 5h-7h-9h-2d-3d |
| Everything Else » Draw Five New Cards | 0.3598 | 10s-8c-6d-4s-2h |
Video Poker Jacks Or Better Basic Strategy
*Penalty cards are any cards which you plan to discard that hurt your chances of completing a draw. For example, if you have 7c-9c-Jc-8s-5h and plan to keep the 7c-9c-Jc, the 8s that you're discarding actually hurts you because there is one less card in the deck that completes your straight. However, it still makes sense to discard the 8s because you have better expected return going for the straight flush than to draw to the inside straight.
Basic Strategy Video Poker Jacks Or Better
Straight (St.) penalty cards mean cards that interfere w/ a hand's possibility of making a straight. Flush penalty cards mean cards that interfere w/ a hand's possibility of making a flush. High Pair (HP) penalty cards mean cards that interfere w/ a hand's possibility of making a high pair (a pair Jacks or better).