How to Play Jacks or Better Video Poker

---

What is Jacks or Better? 

Jacks or Better is a classic video poker game in which you win by making a hand that includes at least a pair of Jacks. It is fast, simple, and skill-based, combining poker strategy with the pace of slots (but without the same skilless mechanics of slots).

Jacks or Better hands follow the poker hand rankings, with pairs, straights, and so on. Anybody who’s familiar with Texas Hold’em will instantly know the best and worst hands in Jacks or Better.

However, gameplay is closer to a draw poker style with exchanging cards. Each round of Jacks or Better begins with five cards, then you decide which to keep and replace. After the draw, your final hand is compared against the pay table to determine your payout. The royal flush jackpot is the ultimate prize, with payouts from any pair of Jacks or higher.

Where Did Jacks or Better Video Poker Originate?

The origins of Jacks or Better video poker date back to the 1970s, when casinos first combined five-card draw poker with early computer screens. The real breakthrough came in 1979 when Si Redd’s Coin Machines introduced Draw Poker, which later evolved into Jacks or Better.

Simple game versions appeared alongside the first personal computers in the 1980s and 90s. Today, as technology has evolved, Jacks or Better remains a firm favorite for video poker players online and in casinos.

---

The Rules of Jacks or Better Video Poker

The simplicity of Jacks or Better rules is one of the big attractions for video poker players. Each game plays out in stages like this:

• Betting: Choose your coin value and number of coins, usually up to five.
  
• Dealing: You receive five cards per hand.
  
• Holding and Drawing: Select which cards to keep, then draw replacements.
  
• Multiple Hands: In multi-hand mode, each initial hand is the same, but the draws are unique. Keep the cards you hold, but get different draws on each unique hand. 
  
• Payouts: Win with hands from a pair of Jacks or better upward, based on the game’s pay table.

---

How to Play Jacks or Better Video Poker: Step-by-Step

Next, let’s look at how to play Jacks or Better video poker in more detail. We’ll go through a full hand from start to finish, so you’ll know exactly what to do and how to win at Jacks or Better.

---

Rankings of Jacks or Better Hands 

If you already know traditional poker hand rankings, the order of Jacks or Better hands will feel familiar to you. As the game’s name suggests, payouts start from a pair of Jacks, rising through the hand rankings to the royal flush.

Hand	Description	Typical Payout (1 Coin)
Royal Flush	A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit	250
Straight Flush	Five cards in sequence, same suit	50
Four of a Kind	Four cards of the same rank	25
Full House	Three of a kind plus a pair	8
Flush	Any five cards of the same suit	5
Straight	Five cards in sequence, any suit	4
Three of a Kind	Three cards of the same rank	3
Two Pair	Two sets of pairs	2
Jacks or Better	A pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces	1

These rankings show exactly what to aim for in every round: The higher your hand ranking, the bigger your payout!

Best Drawing Hands in Jacks or Better Poker

When you know which hands to chase and their potential payouts, you have an essential skill in Jacks or Better. Here are common drawing hand examples and their potential payouts per 1 coin:

Current Hand	Winning Hand	Odds of Success	Payout
A, K, Q, J of the same suit	Royal Flush	2.13%	250
6, 7, 8, 9 of the same suit	Straight Flush	4.26%	50
Four cards of the same suit	Flush	19.10%	5
J, Q, K of the same suit	Royal Flush	0.09%	250
J, Q, K of the same suit	Straight Flush	0.09%	50
Three 10s	Four of a Kind	4.26%	25
J, Q, K of the same suit	Flush	3.98%	5
Jack and four random lower cards	Pair	25.50%	1

Study the potential value of each hand to make better decisions and improve your chances of winning.

---

Hand Odds & Payouts in Jacks or Better Poker

The odds of catching specific hands differ, as in most forms of poker. Below is a standard Jacks or Better pay table, including the odds of hitting each hand:

Hand	Odds	Payout
Jacks or Better	1 in 7.69	x1
Two Pair	1 in 21	x2
Three-of-a-Kind	1 in 47	x3
Straight	1 in 255	x4
Flush	1 in 509	x5
Full House	1 in 694	x8
Four of a Kind	1 in 4,165	x25
Straight Flush	1 in 72,193	x50
Royal Flush	1 in 649,740	x250

As our table shows, Jacks or Better royal flush odds are the most difficult to achieve from the paying hands. Those odds reflect the high payout for that hand.

---

Variants of Jacks or Better Poker 

Not all Jacks or Better games are created equal, even if they share the name. The differences usually appear in the pay table, affecting how much you can win and the game’s return-to-player percentage.

Players often refer to games using shorthand like 9/6 or 8/5. This tells you the payout for a Full House (first number) and a Flush (second number). Common variants include:

• 9/6 Jacks or Better: Highest RTP around 99.54%
• 8/6 Jacks or Better: Slightly lower Full House payout, RTP drops to about 98.39%
• 8/5 Jacks or Better: Lower Full House and Flush payouts, RTP falls to roughly 97.30%
• 6/5 Jacks or Better: Biggest reduction in RTP to around 95%

---

Pros and Cons of Playing Jacks or Better Poker

Jacks or Better offers clear advantages for players who enjoy strategy and predictable payouts. However, there are some trade-offs to consider before playing.

Pros of Jacks or Better	Cons of Jacks or Better
High return-to-player on full-pay versions up to 99.54 percent	Lower RTP on short-pay or low-denomination games
Simple and easy to learn, great for beginners	Can feel repetitive
Solo play, no time pressure	Rare hands can take extra time to hit
Strategy-driven, allowing informed decision-making	Lower excitement than high-variance slots
Multiple betting and multi-hand options	Requires patience to maximize wins

Jacks or Better rewards skill-focused, disciplined play. Always try to pick the highest pay tables to get the most from the game.

---

Jacks or Better Tips to Increase Win Rates

The right approach can improve your long-term results in Jack or Better. Stay in the game for longer by studying Jacks or Better strategies and using these quick-fire tips.

---

Other Games That Jacks or Better Players Can Learn

If you enjoy the strategic and skill-based aspects of Jacks or Better, several other poker and casino games may suit your style. At CoinPoker, you can learn:

---

FAQs