What is Jacks or Better Video Poker?
Jacks or Better is a popular video poker game that combines traditional poker elements with slot machine simplicity. It might not shock you to hear that the main objective is to have a hand with at least a pair of Jacks or better. This game can be played in person on a machine or in an online crypto casino, and players aim to create the best possible poker hand using five cards.
The game’s origins can be traced back to the early days of video poker in the 1970s. It quickly gained popularity due to its straightforward rules and the potential for significant payouts. Today, along with roulette and blackjack, it remains a staple in both land-based and online casinos.
Our app has a full live casino, as well as countless digital choices, so you can play Jacks or Better your favorite way.
What is Jacks or Better Double Up?
At CoinPoker, we have the Jacks or Better Double Up version. This version has an exciting twist: players have the option to double their winnings.
After winning a hand, players can choose to play a double-or-nothing game. In this game, players guess the color of the hidden card, aiming to beat the dealer’s card. If successful, the winnings are doubled; if not, the player loses the original win.
Main Differences from Traditional Poker
There are several differences to some of the traditional poker variations to be aware of when playing video poker jacks or better game, including:
- No opponents: It is a single-player game with no player interaction or competition.
- Objective: The goal is to achieve the highest ranking hand for the largest payout.
- Betting: Jacks or Better involves fixed payouts and does not include multiple betting rounds like traditional poker games like Texas Hold’Em.
- Speed: The game is faster-paced since it eliminates player interactions and multiple betting rounds.
Rules of Jacks or Better Poker
The rules are simple and easy to understand, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced video poker players. Here’s a 5-step explanation of how the game plays out:
- Place Your Bet: Your bet amount will depend on your coin value choice, the number of hands you’d like per game, and the level you’ve chosen to play. For example, a $0.25 coin value for five hands on Level 1 will be a $1.25 total bet ($0.25 x 5 hands x 1 level).
- Deal: Players should click the ‘Deal’ button to receive five cards.
- Choose Cards to Hold: Evaluate your hand and click on the cards you wish to keep.
- Draw: Click the ‘Draw’ button to replace the discarded cards with new ones.
- Payout: If your final hand contains at least a pair of Jacks or better, you win according to the payout table.
Hand Rankings & Payouts
Understanding the hand rankings and corresponding payouts is crucial to mastering Jacks or Better.
The payout amounts in the table below represent a multiplication of your coin value bet. For instance, Your coin value is set to $0.25, you’re playing at Level 4, and you hit a Royal Flush. That will result in a win of $250.00 ($0.25 x 1000).
Here are the payout amounts for all five levels:
| Hand | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 | 200 |
| Four of a Kind | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
How to Play Jacks or Better?
To start this exciting video poker game, look around and become familiar with the layout. Choose your preferred coin value, how many hands you’d like to play per game, and at what level you’d like to play.
Online, you can play up to 25 hands per game. While we don’t currently have free Jacks or Better Video Poker, our coin values begin at $0.01, allowing for low-cost play. High-rollers can increase coin values to $20.00 for bigger wins. Remember, your total bet will differ from your coin value if you play multiple hands and/or at Levels 2 through 5. Your total bet is displayed below the Deal button before you play.
After The Deal
Once you’ve selected your preferred coin value, hands, and level & then tapped the Deal button, your cards will be dealt. For a game consisting of 1 hand, you will see five cards across the middle of your screen:
At this stage, tap the cards that you wish to hold (keep) and then tap the Draw button:
Your held cards will remain while your new cards are dealt. If you have a pair of Jacks or better, you will win an amount in accordance with the payout table.
Below, a winning hand is dealt (a pair of Queens). The coins won and their cash value is displayed below the cards
Playing Multiple Hands
If you’re interested in playing more than one hand of video poker per game, Jacks Or Better is perfect! The game plays out exactly as the one-hand option does above. However, you’ll be presented with multiple chances to win big. Here is what a game of 25 hands looks like after the deal:
Your choice of held cards will be the same for each hand. Here, we’ve selected the two Queens, highlighted as held on all 25 hands. That means a guaranteed win on all 25 hands, as two Queens are better than a pair of Jacks.
Tapping Draw will then reveal three new cards on each hand. The drawn cards will differ for each hand, offering the chance to win in 25 ways.
The 25 hands were drawn below. Because the opening held cards of two Queens were already a winner, all 25 hands won. Two improved to Two Pairs, and one enhanced to Three of a Kind.
Using the Double-Up Feature
Once the game is over, and if they’ve won, players can double their winnings with our Double Up feature. Simply tap the Gamble option to begin this bonus round.
A new screen will appear, and you’ll be asked to select either Red or Black. Your aim is to match the color of the first card, which is highlighted and face down.
If the player guesses the color of the hidden card correctly, their total win from the original game will be doubled. In the above instance, 17 coins will become 34.
If successful, the player can opt to ‘bank’ their win by tapping the money bag icon, or they can try to double up again. This game can be played up to five times, resulting in a huge win for five successful double-ups. If the player loses any Double-up round, they lose their entire win, including the original win on Jacks or Better.
How to Sign Up at CoinPoker Casino
Download CoinPoker
Once you’ve registered and verified your email address, you can download the CoinPoker Casino app. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android.
Make a Deposit
Choose from a variety of secure deposit methods: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Polygon (MATIC), Binance Coin (BNB), Tether (USDT), or Tether (USDT_TRON).
Select Jacks or Better Games
Head to the Casino tab on your CoinPoker app and tap the Search icon. Now perform a search for ‘Jacks or Better.’ You’ll be presented with the game logo and the option to play.
9 Useful Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategies
Hold High Pairs
When you are dealt a high pair (Jacks or higher), always hold onto it. High pairs have a good chance of forming a three-of-a-kind, full house, or four-of-a-kind, which are all valuable hands. Discard the remaining three cards to maximize your potential for these strong hands. This strategy helps maintain a consistent winning streak and increases your overall payouts.
Discard Low Cards
If you are dealt low cards that do not form a pair or any higher combination such as a Straight or a Flush, discard all five cards. The aim is to draw new cards that can potentially form a better hand. While it may seem risky to discard your entire hand, doing so can often lead to better outcomes compared to holding onto weak cards with little value.
Keep High Cards
Holding onto high cards (Jacks or higher) can often be a smart move, even if they do not form a pair initially. High cards can lead to winning hands in subsequent draws, either by forming pairs or higher combinations. This strategy provides a safety net by increasing the chances of landing at least a pair, which pays out in this version of video poker.
Pursue Straights and Flushes Wisely
When you have four cards to a straight or a flush, it is generally wise to go for it, as these hands pay well. However, if you need more than one card to complete these combinations, it might be better to focus on other potential winning hands. The odds of catching two or more cards to make a straight or a flush increase dramatically compared to drawing one card for those lucrative hands.
Maximize Full House Opportunities
When you have two pairs, always keep both pairs to increase your chances of drawing a full house, and ignore any flush or straight possibilities. A full house is a high-paying hand that significantly boosts your winnings. Discard the remaining card and draw one new card to aim for this hand. This strategy maximizes your potential payouts from two-pair hands which are already profitable holdings.
Analyze Your Potential Hands
Take a moment to analyze your dealt hand and potential winning combinations before making any decisions. There is no rush in video poker, you are the only player. This strategic pause can help you identify the best cards to hold and discard, optimizing your chances of forming valuable hands. Understanding the potential of your hand is vital in making informed decisions that align with your overall strategy.
Avoid Chasing Unlikely Hands
One of the players' biggest mistakes in Jacks or Better is chasing highly unlikely hands at the cost of a guaranteed win. For example, breaking up a winning two-pair hand to attempt a full house or discarding a high pair to chase a straight flush is rarely profitable. Instead, focus on the hands that offer consistent payouts and play for incremental wins. The more you avoid unnecessary risks, the more you extend your playtime and increase your overall return. Jacks or Better is a game of patience and percentages, so stick to hands with higher probabilities instead of chasing low-odds outcomes.
Utilize the Double Up Feature Wisely
CoinPoker’s Jacks or Better includes a Double Up option, which allows you to gamble your winnings for a potential double payout. While this feature can significantly boost your bankroll, it should be used strategically. If you’re on a winning streak, setting a limit - such as doubling only once or twice before banking your winnings - can prevent unnecessary losses. Additionally, using the Double Up feature when you’ve won a smaller payout than a large one can be a more calculated risk. Knowing when to take the gamble and when to walk away is key to maximizing your profits over the long run.
Recognize Patterns and Play Accordingly
Over time, experienced players develop an intuitive understanding of card distribution patterns in Jacks or Better. While each hand is random, recognizing common situations - such as frequently being one card short of a straight or flush - can help inform better decision-making. Pay attention to how often certain hands appear and adjust your strategy accordingly. If you notice that high pairs and two-pair hands occur more often than flush or straight draws, prioritize securing those reliable payouts.
Place Bets on Jacks or Better Poker Today
Now you’ve learned about the game, have you got what it takes to crush Jacks or Better? Now’s your chance to find out. CoinPoker brings you fast, fair, and exciting video poker action with crypto-powered gameplay. Whether you’re just getting started or already a video poker pro, you’ll love the smooth graphics, big payouts, and hitting that Royal Flush jackpot! Don’t wait – sign up now, place your bets, and play Jacks or Better!
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