Play Jacks or Better – Online Video Poker Games

There are a lot of video poker variants online, but Jacks or Better is probably the most popular and the simplest one. In this beginner guide, visitors can find information about this casino game, its rules, and its strategies.

What is Jacks or Better?

The aim of this casino entertainment is explained in its title. A player needs to get a pair of jacks or a better hand to receive a payout. Such a non-complex structure of the game made it popular with many players across the world.

Everything begins with the bet that a player should place. After that, five cards are dealt. A player can keep those cards or discard them to try to get a better hand.

Jacks or Better: Possible Hands

Hands that a player can create in Jacks or Better are the same as in any other poker game. Thus, there is a chance to form:

• A pair: the hand with two identical cards. However, those cards should be Jacks or higher to receive a payout.
• Three of a kind: there are three identical cards in a hand (e.g. three Aces).
• Two pairs: a player has two sets of two identical cards (e.g. a pair of 9s and Js).
• Four of a kind: there are four cards of the same value.
• Full house: this hand consists of any pair and a three of a kind.
• Flush: it is possible only when all cards in a hand are of the same suit.
• Straight: this is a hand with cards that go in a sequence (e.g. 8, 9, 10, J, Q). In video poker, an inside and outside Straight is possible. Outside Straight is a hand in which two possible cards can create a Straight hand. Inside Straight is possible only if only one card can create a Straight when discarded.
• Straight Flush: it happens when a Straight is created with the help of cards of the same suit.
• Royal Flush: it is created with 10, J, Q, K, A, and all of them are of the same suit.

Top Tips to Win in Jacks or Better

There is no perfect strategy for playing Jacks or Better, but there is still a possibility to follow certain rules and increase the chances for a payout. These rules are as follows:

• A card that prevents the hand from forming Royal Flush should be discarded. This rule should be followed even if that card is a part of a pair or flush.
• Three of a kind or better should be kept even if there are three to Royal Flush.
• It is better to keep a high pair instead of trying to create Flush or Straight.
• Two pairs or higher combinations should always be kept.