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Video poker comes in more than a dozen variations, with Jacks or Better as the all-time favorite.
In fact, many consider this variant the standard version of video poker, as it’s easy to learn and master, with no complex rules to remember.
Jacks or Better is also an excellent option for players starting their video poker journey. If you’re one of them, you’re on the right page, as we’ll explain how it works and what to take into account while playing.
Read on!
Jacks or Better Rules and Gameplay
The goal of Jacks or Better is to create the best possible five-card combination.
The game starts by placing a bet. There are usually five betting levels, each representing the number of coins you want to insert.
Here’s an overview of how a standard Jacks or Better round works.
- Draw five cards after placing a bet.
- Select the cards you want to discard and swap.
- Replace the cards.
- If your hand is a pair of jacks or better, you’ll get paid according to the paytable.
- Make a new bet and start another round.
As you can see, it’s a pretty straightforward game, and you shouldn’t have any trouble if you already know the ropes of draw poker (or any other poker variation, for that matter).
Jacks or Better Payouts — 9/6 Jacks or Better
There are several types of Jacks or Better based on the payout structure. You’ll often see a number next to its name, such as 9/6 Jacks or Better. The first digit refers to the payout for a full house, and the second denotes the payout for a flush. Therefore, if you place a $1 bet and get a full house, you’ll receive $9. In case you have a flush, you’ll win $6.
9/6 Jacks or Better is the most profitable variation, with a 99.54% return-to-player (RTP) percentage. As a result, players will win, on average, $99.54 for every $100 wagered.
Here’s an overview of all available Jacks or Better payout structures.
- 6/5 Jacks or Better — 95.12%
- 7/5 Jacks or Better — 96.17%
- 8/5 Jacks or Better — 97.25%
- 9/5 Jacks or Better — 98.33%
- 9/6 Jacks or Better — 99.54%
Hand Ranking in Jacks or Better
The game is called Jacks or Better for a reason, considering the lowest-paying hand is a pair of jacks. That said, here’s an overview of all hand rankings, along with minimum bet payouts.
- Jacks or better — 1
- Two pair — 2
- Three of a kind — 3
- Straight — 4
- Flush — 6 (this changes depending on the type of poker; all other types pay 5)
- Full house — 9 (this changes depending on the type of poker)
- Four of a kind — 25
- Straight flush — 50
- Royal flush — 250
The maximum amount you can win is 800x your bet or 4,000 coins, in case you decide to bet five coins and win a royal flush.
Many other instances of video poker have alternate hand rankings and payouts. For example, in tens or better, you might get paid more often (as a pair of tens is a paying hand), but the payouts are lower.
Tips for Playing Jacks or Better
Playing Jacks or Better isn’t rocket science, but there are some steps you can take to avoid common pitfalls. Here are some handy tips for the popular type of video poker.
Always try to hold at least one card if it’s jacks or better unless you have a winning hand.
If you’re dealt a small pair in the first hand, keep it and change the other three. However, if you have a flush draw, change one of the two paired cards.
Make sure to keep a high-paying pair, such as JJ, QQ, or AA, and discard the other three cards. The only exception is if you have a royal flush draw. In that case, try to change one of the paired cards to try to hit the jackpot.
In most scenarios, a made hand is not worth the risk, so it’s better to take the guaranteed payout than change any cards to try to make a better hand.
Keep your emotions in check, and try not to get carried away when playing.
Conclusion
To sum up, Jacks or Better is a popular video poker game available at almost every online and land-based casino. Most people who play video poker are very fond of this variation and consider it one of the best RNG-based card games.
Understanding Jacks or Better is easy, and the rounds are fast-paced. However, you still need to apply basic strategies to ensure you’re getting the most from the game.
It’s an entertaining game suitable for poker lovers interested in playing solo rather than participating in standard live poker options, such as Texas Hold’em or Omaha, as well as for players who are into video slots.
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