How to Play Jacks or Better: Strategy & Odds Guide
Jacks or Better is the original and most common video poker game. Simple rules, straightforward strategy, and excellent odds make it the perfect starting point for video poker players. A full-pay 9/6 machine returns 99.54% with optimal play.
Table of Contents
- What Is Jacks or Better?
- Pay Tables
- Basic Strategy
- Optimal Strategy Chart
- Odds and House Edge
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Jacks or Better?
Jacks or Better is the standard video poker game where you need at least a pair of Jacks to win. You receive five cards, choose which to keep, and draw replacements. Your final hand determines your payout.
Why Start with Jacks or Better
- Simplest strategy: Easiest video poker game to learn
- Best odds: 9/6 machines offer 99.54% return
- Most common: Found in virtually every casino
- Foundation: Other video poker variants build on this game
Pay Tables
The pay table determines the game's return. Always check before playing.
Full-Pay 9/6 (99.54% Return)
| Hand | 1 Coin | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 5 |
Common Downgrades
| Version | Full House | Flush | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 | 9 | 6 | 99.54% |
| 9/5 | 9 | 5 | 98.45% |
| 8/6 | 8 | 6 | 98.39% |
| 8/5 | 8 | 5 | 97.30% |
| 7/5 | 7 | 5 | 96.15% |
Always play max coins for the enhanced royal flush payout (4000 vs 1250 for 5 coins).
Basic Strategy
Jacks or Better strategy ranks all possible holds by expected value.
Simplified Strategy (Priority Order)
Hold cards in this order (highest priority first):
- Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind
- Four to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, straight, three of a kind
- Four to a straight flush
- Two pair
- High pair (Jacks or better)
- Three to a royal flush
- Four to a flush
- Low pair (2s through 10s)
- Four to an outside straight
- Two suited high cards
- Three to a straight flush
- Two unsuited high cards
- One high card (J, Q, K, A)
- Discard everything
Optimal Strategy Chart
Key Strategic Decisions
High pair vs. four to a flush: Keep the high pair.
Low pair vs. four to a flush: Keep the low pair (barely).
High pair vs. four to an outside straight: Keep the high pair.
Low pair vs. four to an outside straight: Keep the low pair.
Made flush vs. four to a royal: Break the flush for the royal draw.
Three to a royal vs. high pair: Keep the three to a royal (Q♥ K♥ A♥ beats K♠ K♣).
Common Mistakes
- Holding a kicker with three of a kind (never do this)
- Keeping suited A-K over a low pair
- Not breaking a flush for a royal draw
- Holding three to a straight flush when you have a high pair
Odds and House Edge
9/6 Jacks or Better
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| House Edge | 0.46% |
| Return | 99.54% |
| Royal Flush Odds | 1 in 40,391 |
Hand Frequencies
| Hand | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | 21.5% |
| Two Pair | 12.9% |
| Three of a Kind | 7.4% |
| Straight | 1.1% |
| Flush | 1.1% |
| Full House | 1.2% |
| Four of a Kind | 0.24% |
| Straight Flush | 0.01% |
| Royal Flush | 0.0025% |
| No Win | 54.5% |