You've heard the old expression, "Know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em", this comes with practice and experience. Below are listed the Jacks or Better Video Poker hand rankings and some very useful strategies to use in Jacks or Better and that can also be applied to most poker games. There are even strategy cards that you can use to learn from although most casinos look down on the practice of bringing these cards into their casinos. With online casinos you are free to use them whenever you need. And again, with practice you will get to the point that you no longer need to refer to strategy cards or guides.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Hand Rankings
Hand |
Description |
Royal Flush |
A hand with A, K, Q, J and 10 all of the same suite |
Straight Flush |
A hand with all five cards in sequence and of the same suit |
Four of a Kind |
A hand with four cards of the same rank |
Full House |
A hand with three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank |
Flush |
A hand with all five cards in the same suit but not all in a sequence |
Straight |
A hand with all five cards in sequence but not all in one suit |
Three of a Kind |
A hand with three cards of the same rank |
Two Pair |
A hand with two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank |
Pair of Jacks or Better |
A hand with two cards of the same rank |
Jacks or Better Video Poker Basic Strategy Chart
Your Hand (first 5 cards) |
Cards Held |
Cards to Draw |
Royal Flush |
5 |
0 |
Straight Flush |
5 |
0 |
Four of a Kind |
5 |
0 |
Full House |
5 |
0 |
Flush |
5 |
0 |
Straight |
5 |
0 |
Four to a Royal Flush |
4 |
1 |
Four to a Straight Flush |
4 |
1 |
Four to a Flush |
4 |
1 |
Four to a Straight |
4 |
1 |
Two Pair |
4 |
1 |
Three of a Kind |
3 |
2 |
Three to a Royal Flush |
3 |
2 |
Three to a Straight Flush |
3 |
2 |
High Pair (Jacks or Better) |
2 |
3 |
Low Pair |
2 |
3 |
Two to a Royal |
2 |
3 |
Two High Cards |
2 |
3 |
One High Card |
1 |
4 |
Nearly Nothing Hand |
0 |
5 |
Now we need to deal with how to go about choosing the right casino or machine to play on. Contrary to popular belief, not all Jacks or Better games are created equal. There are different payouts on the machines, and the one that you want to find and play on is a 9/6 full pay machine as opposed to an 8/5 machine.
To determine if a Jacks or Better Video Poker game is 9/6 Full Pay, have a look at their payout table on the screen. Look closely at these payout tables. The following demonstrates a 9/6 Full Pay machine. You'll find that some games payout much less with 8/5 or worse. This greatly changes the percentages in favor of the house.
Look at the payout for the Full House and for the Flush. It' 9 coins for the Full House and 6 coins for the Flush. This is how you tell a machine is a 9/6 Full Pay Machine. A game that shows 8 coins or less for a Full House and 5 coins or less for the Flush should be avoided. The odds are too great in the house favor. When you calculate the amount of hands you play in an hour on the 9/6 game, your losses are minimal. Take the same amount of hands and play them on an 8/5 game and your losses are more than tripled that of the 9/6 game. And always bet the maximum on whatever game you are playing. There is nothing sadder than getting that elusive Royal Flush when you're betting a coin shy of the maximum payout.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Payout Table
Hand |
1 coin |
2 coins |
3 coins |
4 coins |
5 coins |
Royal Flush |
250 |
500 |
750 |
1000 |
4000 |
Straight Flush |
50 |
100 |
150 |
200 |
250 |
Four 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 |
Three of a kind |
3 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
Two Pairs |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
Jacks or Better |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
