Jacks or Better Guide: Building a Hand

In this article, we take a look at our Jacks or Better guide. Jacks or Better is a video poker game that is based on the original 5-hand poker game. In the title, players must form a winning hand with a minimum value of a pair of Jacks to make a winning combination. Thus, we take a look at all you need to know about the video poker game for more details.

Jacks or Better Guide: An Introduction

Jacks or Better is the most popular video poker game at numerous online casinos. The game is based on the classic poker game, in which a player must make the greatest five-card hand possible. A pair of Jacks is the bare minimum a player can have in order to build a winning hand. This is, incidentally, why the game is called Jacks or Better. Each round begins with the participant being dealt five cards. The player can decide which cards they want to keep and which they want to discard. Alternatively, you can find titles in our jackpot games for options.

They acquire additional cards to assist build a winning combination once they have disposed of the undesired cards in their hand. The round comes to a close at this point, and the player is compensated based on the strength of their hand. Jacks or Better is a simple game to learn, but players must be aware of their hand strength. We’ve given a quick guide of each hand’s strengths, from weakest to strongest, below:

Hand Strength Top to Bottom

• Two of a Kind – A hand that contains at least two matching cards. For instance, a pair of 5s.
• Three of a Kind – A hand with at least three matching cards. For instance, three 6s.
• Two Pair – A hand that contains two pairs. For instance, two 3s and two 5s.
• Full House – A hand that has a three of a kind and a pair. An example of this is three 7s and two 10s.
• Flush – A hand in which all the cards have the same suit. An example of this is the 3, 6, 7, 9 and A of Hearts.
• Straight – A hand in which five consecutive numbers complete a sequence. For instance, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Ace can be used at either end of the sequence: (A, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10, J, Q, K, A).
• Outside Straight – A hand that can be made into a straight from either end of the sequence. For instance, if a player is dealt 8, 9, 10, 2, J – they can replace the two in hopes of receiving a 7 or a Q. Either card will complete the straight.
• Inside Straight – A hand that can be made into a straight by receiving a specific number within the sequence. For instance, if a player is dealt 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 – they can replace the 10 in hopes of a 5 to complete the straight.
• Straight Flush – A hand that is both a straight and a flush. For instance, A, 2, 3, 4, 5 of Club.
• Royal Flush – A straight flush that includes the strongest cards in a deck. Thus, the 10, J, Q, K, A of any card suit.

Jacks or Better Rules

Jacks or Better is a simple game to learn because the goal is to create the strongest poker hand possible. The more powerful your hand is, the more money you’ll win. We’ve shown you how to figure out which cards to discard when constructing a winning combination. From strongest to weakest, these are the card combinations you should keep:

• Hold onto a full house or better
• Keep the 4 cards to try and complete a royal flush
• Hold onto a straight, three of a kind or a flush
• Keep the 4 cards to a straight flush
• Hold onto Two pairs
• Keep a high pair (Jacks or Better)
• Hold onto the three cards towards a royal flush
• Keep four cards to a flush
• Hold onto a low pair (10 or less)
• Keep four cards towards an outside straight
• Hold onto 2 suited high cards
• Keep 3 cards towards a straight flush
• Hold onto 2 unsuited high cards (if you have more, pick the lowest 2)
• Keep a suited 10/K, 10/Q, 10/K
• Hold onto one high cards
• Dispose of all five cards

It may be tough to remember at first, but after some practice, discarding the less desirable cards will become second nature.

Jacks or Better Versions

Because Jacks or Better is the most popular video poker game online, both full pay and low pay variations are accessible. The Pay Table shows the difference between the two, with subtle variations in how well a full house and a flush pay. The following are the three primary variations:

• 9/6 Jacks or Better
• 9/5 Jacks or Better
• 8/6 Jacks or Better

Essentially, all of these games have the same pay table, with each wager of 2 to 5 coins receiving the same reward. When only one coin is used, the payouts for a Full House and a Flush will be different. This has an impact on the RTP (Return To Player) payback. Let’s have a look at how this is done.

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Here is a chart when betting with only 1 coin for 9/6 Jacks or Better:

9/6

• Royal Flush – 250 coins payout
• Straight Flush – 50 coins payout
• 4 of a Kind – 25 coins payout
• Full House – 9 coins payout
• Flush – 6 coins payout
• Straight – 4 coins payout
• 3 of a Kind – 3 coins payout
• 2 Pairs – 2 coins payout
• Jacks or Better – 1 coin payout

Here is a chart when betting with only 1 coin for 9/5 Jacks or Better:

9/5

• Royal Flush – 250 coins payout
• Straight Flush – 50 coins payout
• 4 of a Kind – 25 coins payout
• Full House – 9 coins payout
• Flush – 5 coins payout
• Straight – 4 coins payout
• 3 of a Kind – 3 coins payout
• 2 Pairs – 2 coins payout
• Jacks or Better – 1 coin payout

Here is a chart when betting with only 1 coin for 8/6 Jacks or Better:

8/6

• Royal Flush – 250 coins payout
• Straight Flush – 50 coins payout
• 4 of a Kind – 25 coins payout
• Full House – 8 coins payout
• Flush – 6 coins payout
• Straight – 4 coins payout
• 3 of a Kind – 3 coins payout
• 2 Pairs – 2 coins payout
• Jacks or Better – 1 coin payout

Differences

The only variation between the variants is the payoff for a Full House and a Flush. Every payment remains the same for all types when betting with more than one coin (2, 3, 4, or 5). The full pay version of Jacks or Better, the 9/6 variety, is the favorite choice for low rollers.

Each of these variations will have a minor impact on the RTP. Although the percentage amount is small, it is nevertheless significant:

• 9/6 Jacks or Better – 99.54% RTP
• 9/5 Jacks or Better – 98.45% RTP
• 8/6 Jacks or Better – 98.39% RTP

Essentially, Jacks or Better 9/6 is the best game for gamers who wish to play the complete version of the game for real money. Another factor to consider is the increase in value from 4 to 5 coins when you have a Royal Flush.

Combining a Royal Flush with four coins pays 1,000 coins in each type of Jacks or Better. A Royal Flush, on the other hand, pays 4,000 coins when matching the exact hand with 5 coins. This is a massive increase in payment. As a result, if you want to get the best payout, you should put the most money in the machine and hope for a Royal Flush.

Examples of Playing

• 1^st Example: If a player is dealt the King of Diamonds, 5 of Spades, 4 of Clubs, 7 of Hearts and 9 of Hearts, they only have one high card. In this scenario, the player should dispose of all cards except the King of Diamonds.
• 2^nd Example: If a player is dealt a 6 of Clubs, 7 of Clubs, 7 of Diamonds, Queen of Hearts and 7 of Hearts, they already have a three of a kind. In this scenario, the player should dispose of the 6 and Q, holding onto their 3 of a kind and hope for the fourth 7 of Spades to land.
• 3^rd Example: If a player is dealt a 3 of Diamonds, 5 of Clubs, 7 of Hearts, 10 of Clubs and 4 of Diamonds, they have four cards to an inside straight – namely, 3, 4, 5 and 7. The player should dispose of the 10 and hope to draw a 6.

The Bottom Line

Thus, to conclude this Jacks or Better guide, we hope that you have an insight on how the video poker game works. There are many things to consider when playing Jacks or Better online. Most notably, how to follow a strategy that gives you an insight on building the best hand. Once you are able to do so, you will have the game in your palms and be able to play to win. Browse through our latest jackpot ratings to find games where you can enjoy using such strategies for playing Jacks or Better.

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