Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy

Video Poker Lesson 5

Jacks or Better is even more popular than Deuces Wild in online or land casinos. The reason it tends to be more popular of a game is the payouts. You can have a pair in this game. Of course the pair must be of jacks or better, but still you get winnings for this type of hand. The Royal Flush is always going to be the best hand, and the most elusive. There are rules for when you should break up a possible royal flush and when you should not. Jacks or Better video poker is a five card draw game meaning you can keep any of the first five cards dealt or trade in any of them up to all five. It is up to you and the strategies listed below to decide you move in this poker game.

Check out the table to learn your options for what you might have regarding a Royal Flush. These suggestions are what you should do:

Common strategies for Jacks or Better:
If you have:	Then ...
4 cards to a royal flush	Draw one card
3 cards of a royal flush	Draw two cards, unless you have a winning hand
2 cards to a royal flush	Draw three cards, unless you have a winning hand
4 cards to a straight flush	Draw one card, or keep the winning hand
3 cards to a straight flush	Draw 2 cards, unless you have a winning hand.
2 cards to a straight flush	Draw three cards, unless there is a winning hand
4 cards to a flush	Draw one card, unless you have a winning pair or higher
3 cards to a flush	Draw two cards, unless there is a winning pair or higher
2 cards to a flush	Draw three cards, unless you have a winning hand
3 of a kind	Keep this hand, draw two new cards
2 pairs	Draw 1 new card
high pair	Draw three new cards, never break a high pair
low pair	This is not a winning hand, either scrap it or try for 3 new cards
high cards	Keep one high card to create a pair
Otherwise	Draw five new cards