Strategies for Jacks or Better
Welcome back all poker lovers! So,since you now have learned how to play video poker we thought we could teach you something else ! Starting with the common game Jacks or Better we will share some of the strategies we have picked up.
For Jacks or better the full pay machine (9/6) is as follows:
Royal Flush
- 800
Straight Flush
- 50
Four of a kind – 25
Full House – 9
Flush - 6
Straight
- 4
Three of a kind
- 3
Two pair
- 2
Jacks or Better - 1
There are two strategies for Jacks or Better. The following is a simple strategy and when using this on a full pay machine (standard is 9/6) the expected return is 99,46%.
At least according to Wizard of odds where we found the following simple strategy:
Four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush
4 to a royal flush
Three of a kind, straight, flush, full house
4 to a straight flush
Two pair
High pair
3 to a royal flush
4 to a flush
Low pair
4 to an outside straight
2 suited high cards
3 to a straight flush
2 unsuited high cards (if more than 2 then pick the lowest 2)
Suited 10/J, 10/Q, or 10/K
One high card
Discard everything
Misstakes cost 0,08% or one total bet every 1178 hands.
The Wizard of odds also gives an optimal strategy, but in our opinion it’s too long to learn. But using it on a full pay machine the expected return is 99,54%. When using this strategy you shall take a good look at your hand and find out every way to play it and then choose the play that’s highest on the list.
Dealt royal flush (800.0000)
Dealt straight flush (50.0000)
Dealt four of a kind (25.0000)
4 to a royal flush (18.3617)
Dealt full house (9.0000)
Dealt flush (6.0000)
3 of a kind (4.3025)
Dealt straight (4.0000)
4 to a straight flush (3.5319)
Two pair (2.59574)
High pair (1.5365)
3 to a royal flush (1.2868)
4 to a flush (1.2766)
Unsuited TJQK(0.8723)
Low pair (0.8237)
4 to an outside straight with 0-2 high cards(0.6809)
3 to a straight flush (type 1) (0.6207 to 0.6429)
Suited QJ (0.6004)
4 to an inside straight, 4 high cards (0.5957)
Suited KQ or KJ (0.5821)
Suited AK, AQ, or AJ (0.5678)
4 to an inside straight, 3 high cards (0.5319)
3 to a straight flush (type 2) (0.5227 to 0.5097)C
Unsuited JQK (0.5005)
Unsuited JQ (0.4980)
Suited TJ (0.4968)
2 unsuited high cards king highest (0.4862)
Suited TQ (0.4825)
2 unsuited high cards ace highest (0.4743)
J only (0.4713)
Suited TK (0.4682)
Q only (0.4681)
K only (0.4649)
A only (0.4640)
3 to a straight flush (type 3) (0.4431)
Garbage, discard everything (0.3597)
There are some are exceptions for specific hands, but you should really go to the Wizard to see them. We almost always use the simple strategy, because we want to enjoy ourselves while playing and that’s easier when the game is more simple. The Wizard also provides an Intermediate strategy, but the simple and optimal strategy are more common, so that’s why we just talk about them here.
At Casinosnack you can play Jacks or Better for free to try the strategies! Please leave a comment on how your gambling went, we are eager to hear! Also if you have something on your mind or simply wants us to write about something special, feel free to contact us.