Video Poker Machine Game Strategy - Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better video poker is a game with one of the highest payouts of all machines. In fact it can often be as high as 99.5%.

But to get to that level you cant just play any old way. You have to apply a strategy to get there. That's where the following may just be what you need to help you get the returns you're looking for.

Jacks or Better - Optimal Game Strategy

Jacks or Better or any other video poker machine is a game of skill and you the player must know exactly what to do in every situation in order to get the best results. Sometimes you'll be face with difficult choices. For instance when there are two attractive sets of cards to hold in a hand

An example is the case where you have two high cards - jacks or higher of the same rank. This will give you a payout of 1:1 on Jacks or Better, but you also have another “kicker” card (a face card or Ace).

Most players will feel inclined to hold the “kicker” card with the winning pair but this is a mistake. Why welll if you hold just the pair you have higher chances of getting a three-of-a-kind than a two pair by holding the “kicker” card.

Best Hands List

Here's a list based on computer analysis of the best card combinations to hold. In this case for Jacks or Better. To get the best results simply look at your 5 cards dealt. Then try to match any of these cards or all of them to the hand combination HIGHEST on the list below.

1. Royal Flush
2. Straight Flush
3. Four of a Kind
4. Hold 4 cards to a Royal Flush
5. Full House
6. Flush
7. Three of a Kind
8. Straight
9. Hold 4 cards to a Straight Flush
10. Two Pair
11. High Pair
12. Hold 3 cards to a Royal Flush
13. Hold 4 cards to a Flush
14. Hold 4 unsuited Ten, Jack, Queen and King
15. Low pair (2’s through 10’s)
16. Hold 4 cards to an outside Straight (with 2 high cards)
17. Hold 3 cards to a Straight Flush
18. Hold 2 suited Queen and Jack
19. Hold 4 cards to an inside Straight (with 4 high cads)
20. Hold 2 suited King/Queen or King/Jack
21. Hold 2 suited Ace/King, Ace/Queen or Ace/Jack
22. Hold 4 cards to an inside Straight (with 3 high cards)
23. Hold 3 unsuited King, Queen, Jack
24. Hold 2 unsuited Queen and Jack
25. Hold 2 suited Jack and Ten
26. Hold 2 unsuited high cards with King as highest
27. Hold 2 suited Queen and Ten
28. Hold 2 unsuited high cards with Ace as highest
29. Hold 1 Jack
30. Hold 2 suited King and Ten
31. Hold 1 Queen
32. Hold 1 King
33. Hold 1 Ace
34. If none of the above then discard all and draw for five new cards.

Play & Practice Free

Remember you can play free video poker at all our online casinos. Simply download their software, register as a guest and play. Playing for fun is a great way to get to grips with the game and get your skill levels up. Try our video poker strategy too and see what difference it makes to your game.

When your ready it's easy to start playing for real money and another great thing about the game is the fact that you don't have to spend a fortune playing it.

Above all enjoy your video poker wherever and whatever game you play.

Return to Strategy Index