If you’ve ever seen “Jacks or Better” in a casino or on an online platform and wondered what it’s all about, you’re not alone.
This guide will walk you through how to play Jacks or Better, covering everything from the basic rules and step-by-step gameplay to smart strategies and common pitfalls.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make the most of every hand.
What Is Jacks or Better?
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular and straightforward video poker games out there. It combines the simplicity of slots with the logic and excitement of poker.
The objective is to make the best five-card poker hand possible, and the lowest winning hand is a pair of Jacks, hence the name.
The deck is a standard 52-card set, and unlike traditional poker, there are no opponents, no bluffing, and no chips to manage.
You play directly against the machine (or app), which means your success comes down to your understanding of odds and your choices.
How Do You Play Jacks or Better Step by Step?
Once you get the basics, playing Jacks or Better is smooth and intuitive.
Let’s go through it step by step so you can jump right in with confidence.
1. Choose Your Bet
Before you start, decide how many coins or credits to wager per hand. Most machines let you bet from one to five coins.
Betting the maximum five coins isn’t mandatory, but it’s crucial if you want access to the top jackpot for a royal flush, which can jump from 250 to 4,000 coins when you bet max.
For beginners, starting with smaller bets is fine, but try to increase your wager once you’re comfortable to maximize long-term returns.
2. Deal Your Cards
Hit the “Deal” button, and you’ll receive five random cards from a digital 52-card deck. This is your starting hand.
Each hand is entirely random, just like drawing cards from a shuffled deck in real poker. Take a moment to analyze your cards before making any moves.
3. Decide Which Cards to Hold
This is where strategy comes in. You’ll select which cards to “hold” and which to discard. Your goal is to keep cards that have the highest potential to form a strong poker hand.
For instance, if you’re dealt 10♠, J♠, Q♠, K♠, 3♦, you’d hold the four spades because you’re one card away from a royal flush.
If you’re dealt J♦, J♥, 6♣, 8♠, Q♣, you’d hold the pair of Jacks since that’s already a paying hand.
Every choice affects your odds, so this decision is key.
4. Draw New Cards
After choosing your holds, hit “Draw.” The machine replaces your discarded cards with new ones, giving you your final hand. This final combination determines whether you win or lose.
5. Get Paid (Hopefully!)
Your payout depends on the paytable and your final hand. A simple pair of Jacks or better pays the smallest prize, while a royal flush pays the most.
Most machines display the paytable right above the cards, so you can always check what each hand is worth.
Example Paytable (Full-Pay 9/6 Jacks or Better)
| Hand | Payout (per 1 coin bet) |
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 |
| Full House | 9 |
| Flush | 6 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
(Note: “9/6” refers to the Full House and Flush payouts, 9 and 6, respectively. Lower paytables, like 8/5, reduce the return to player.)
Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy
Jacks or Better is more than luck; it’s a strategy game. Making smart decisions can push your return rate above 99%. Here are key strategies every player should know, with practical examples and insights.
1. Always Keep a Winning Hand
If you already have a paying hand, like a pair of Jacks or higher, keep it. Don’t discard a winning hand chasing a rare combination.
For instance, if you have J♥, J♣, 9♦, Q♠, 3♣, you might be tempted to chase a straight, but statistically, keeping your Jacks will yield better results in the long run.
2. Keep High Cards When Possible
If you have unsuited high cards such as K, Q, or A, keep them, especially when you have multiple. High cards improve your chance of forming a winning pair or a straight.
For example, keeping K♠, Q♦ gives you a 25% chance of pairing one of them in the next draw.
3. Chase Flushes and Straights Only When Close
If you’re one card away from a straight or flush, go for it, but don’t risk breaking up a paying pair.
For example, if you have four cards to a flush like A♠, 10♠, 7♠, 4♠, hold all four and draw for the fifth. The odds of completing a flush are roughly 1 in 5, making it a calculated risk.
4. Hold Low Pairs Over Random High Cards
A low pair, such as 4s or 6s, is usually stronger than holding random high cards. A low pair gives you a roughly 13% chance to improve to three of a kind, and even higher for a full house or four of a kind.
In contrast, keeping a single King gives you only about a 1 in 3 chance to pair it.
5. Always Max Bet for Royal Flushes
The difference between a one-coin and five-coin royal flush payout is massive. Betting one coin pays 250 per coin, while betting five coins pays 4,000.
Even if you don’t hit the royal flush often (average odds are 1 in 40,000), the potential payout makes it worth betting max when possible.
6. Use Strategy Charts
If you’re serious about optimizing your play, study or print a Jacks or Better strategy chart. It shows which hands to hold in every possible scenario. A perfect strategy can reduce the house edge to almost nothing.
Bonus Tip: Video Poker vs Slots
Many beginners wonder if video poker is similar to slots. The short answer is no. Slots rely purely on random luck with no player control.
Video poker lets you influence results through strategy and probability, making it one of the few casino games where skill matters.
Multi-Play Video Poker and Advanced Versions
Once you’ve mastered the basics, step up to Multi Play Video Poker. This lets you play several hands at once, usually 3, 5, 10, or even 50 hands.
You make one hold decision, and that applies to all hands. Each hand then draws from a separate deck.
It’s faster-paced and multiplies both your wins and losses, so manage your bankroll carefully.
If you want even more action, multi hand video poker provides an extra challenge by allowing dozens of simultaneous hands, perfect for experienced players looking to ramp up the excitement.
Exploring Other Video Poker Variations
Jacks or Better is the foundation of most video poker games, but there are several exciting variations worth exploring once you get comfortable.
Free Deuces Wild Video Poker Multi Hand
In free deuces wild video poker multi-hand, all 2s act as wild cards. That means they can replace any card to complete a winning hand.
For example, if you’re dealt 2♠, 2♦, K♣, K♠, 7♥, you effectively have four of a kind. The wilds make it easier to win, but the payouts are adjusted to keep the game balanced.
Jokers Wild Poker
Joker’s Wild Poker adds a Joker to the deck as a wild card. The Joker can substitute for any card, boosting your chances of strong hands like straights and flushes.
However, because it makes wins more frequent, the payout per hand is slightly lower compared to standard Jacks or Better.
Super Aces Bonus and Bonus Poker Deluxe
Super aces bonus and bonus poker deluxe add extra incentives for specific hands, especially four of a kind.
In these games, four Aces can trigger massive payouts, sometimes double or triple the usual amount.
White Hot Aces and Double Double Bonus Poker
White Hot Aces is an enhanced version with fiery bonuses for four Aces, while Double Double Bonus Poker goes even further by rewarding kicker cards.
For example, four Aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker can pay out more than four Aces alone.
Video Poker Classic
For traditionalists, the video poker classic offers the pure, straightforward gameplay that made Jacks or Better famous. It’s the best way to focus purely on skill and paytable analysis without distractions.
What Are Common Jacks or Better Mistakes?
Even skilled players make errors that hurt their payout over time. Here are some common mistakes and why they matter:
- Breaking up a paying hand: Don’t discard a pair of Jacks or better, trying for a straight or flush. Statistically, it’s almost always a losing move.
- Ignoring the paytable: Full pay (9/6) machines return around 99.5% with perfect strategy. Anything lower, like 8/5, reduces your return below 97%.
- Not betting max coins: Missing a royal flush on a one coin bet is painful. The difference in payout is thousands of credits.
- Playing too fast: Speed increases mistakes. Take your time, check your holds, and review the paytable often.
- Skipping strategy charts: Learning proper holds and discards adds long-term value and minimizes the house edge.
What to Hold in Jacks or Better?
| Situation | Hold |
| Royal Flush | All five cards |
| Straight Flush (4 cards) | Hold them |
| Four of a Kind | Keep all |
| Full House | Keep all |
| Flush (4 cards) | Hold the four cards |
| Straight (4 cards) | Hold the four cards |
| Three of a Kind | Hold the three, discard two |
| Two Pair | Hold both pairs |
| Pair of Jacks or higher | Hold the pair |
| Pair of low cards | Usually hold the pair |
| Four to a Royal Flush | Always hold |
| Three to a Royal Flush | Hold only if no other wins |
FAQ
What Is the Rule for Jacks or Better?
You need at least a pair of Jacks or higher to win. Anything less doesn’t pay. Higher hands like straights, flushes, and full houses yield larger rewards.
Is Jacks or Better Beatable?
Yes. With perfect play on a 9/6 full-pay machine, the return to player (RTP) is around 99.54%, making it one of the most beatable casino games.
You can’t guarantee profits every session, but you can minimize losses and stretch your bankroll for longer play.
Should You Hold a Low Pair in Jacks or Better?
Usually, yes. A low pair gives you a higher chance to improve into three or four of a kind. You should only break a low pair if you’re one card away from a royal or straight flush.
What Is the Payout for 7/5 Jacks or Better?
The 7/5 Jacks or Better variant pays 7 coins for a full house and 5 for a flush per coin bet. Its RTP drops to about 96.1%, so if possible, stick to 9/6 machines for better odds.
What Is the Payout for a Full House in Jacks or Better?
A full house pays 9 coins per coin bet on a 9/6 machine. Bet 5 coins, and you’ll earn 45 back.
What Are the Odds of Getting a Royal Flush in Jacks or Better?
The odds are roughly 1 in 40,000 hands, but it’s the ultimate prize. When it hits, especially on a max bet, it can mean a 4,000 coin payout.
Final Thoughts
Jacks or Better remains a timeless casino favorite for a reason. Once you understand how to play Jacks or Better, you’ll see that it’s a perfect mix of luck, logic, and calculated decisions. Start small, learn the optimal holds, and always check paytables.
As you grow more confident, explore versions like multi-hand or bonus poker games for added excitement.
With smart play and patience, this video poker classic offers some of the best odds in the casino world, and plenty of fun along the way.
