| Updated: October 3, 2024Although Jacks or Better is the oldest video poker variant created, its popularity has not waned throughout the years, and such games continue to be attention-grabbers even today.
The beauty of these games stems from their simplicity, which renders them a perfect fit for players, no matter if they have already come to terms with the ins and outs of video poker or they are about to do so. Jacks or Better is easily a no-frills video poker variant as gambling enthusiasts will not be required to master complicated rules, learn how wild cards or bonus payouts work.
Not to mention that the full-pay versions of Jacks or Better offer some truly bountiful payouts other games cannot rival, which goes to explain why they are so sought-after.
In spite of the fact that Jacks or Better is mostly preferred because of its low house edge and straightforwardness, diving your headfirst in it is not advisable. In this article, we will shed light on the game basics, some of the most popular variants, as well as the strategy players can stick to when they want to enjoy a more bountiful betting session.
Jacks or Better And Slots Where The Difference Is
Oftentimes, players draw a parallel between slots and video poker because the gameplay shares lots of common traits, especially visually, as the way cards are dealt is reminiscent of the spinning action of the reels. Yet, this is only on the surface, and there are some significant similarities to pay closer attention to.
For starters, video poker variants, and Jacks or Better, in particular, are all derivatives of five-card draw poker. Yet, the most prominent difference between them is that while playing video poker, the objective is not to beat the hands of the other players, but to get a hand with a specific strength. The stronger the hand is, the more bountiful the payout players will be in for will be.
How Is Probability Determined in Slots And Video Poker
Payouts in Video Poker and SlotsHow Is Probability Determined in Slots And Video Poker
In spite of the fact that the outcomes of the game rounds in video poker and slots are dictated by computer algorithms called Random Number Generators, the odds of getting a specific symbol in slots and a specific card in Jacks or Better will not be the same.
When Jacks or Better is concerned, the chances of getting a specific card will be exactly the same as with regular decks of cards, meaning that the probability of getting an Ace of spades will be 1 in 52 or 0.0192. In this way, players can also determine the probability of getting a card of a specific rank or suit.
This is not the case with slots, where each of the symbols that are part of the paytable have randomly chosen probabilities attached to them.
Payouts in Video Poker and Slots
The way in which the payouts are determined also differs, and in the case of video poker, they are based on the payoffs in poker. Since gambling enthusiasts can estimate the probability of getting each of the hands that bring a payout, it will be exceptionally easy to determine the expected return of the chosen game, depending on the strategy players have decided to stick to.
Another dissimilarity between slots and video poker is that with the latter, the decisions of players will have an impact on the flow of the events, which is not the case with slots that are entirely chance-based. This is exactly the reason why players should always make sure that they will make the optimal decisions in terms of the cards they will hold and replace.
Getting Started with Jacks or Better
No matter if playing at a brick-and-mortar or online casino is your thing, before you start making real-money bets on the preferred video poker variant, you should come to grips with the intricacies of the chosen game. Fortunately for players, this will not be much of an effort with Jacks or Better, which, as we said already, bears much resemblance with five-draw poker.
The most outstanding difference between them, however, is that players will not try to snap at other players’ heels, but will instead play against a machine, which will save them the hassle of adjusting their strategy depending on the circumstances.
While playing Jacks or Better, gambling enthusiasts need at least two Jacks in order to get a payout, and the best thing is that if they do not get such a hand on the pre-draw, they will still stand the chance to get a winning hand by replacing some or all of the cards they have initially get.
Getting Your Initial Hand Completing Your HandGetting Your Initial Hand
Naturally, the first thing gambling enthusiasts will be required to do in order to go ahead with their betting session is adjust their bet according to their preferences. First and foremost, players need to calibrate their bet by selecting the number of coins they would like to stake. In the majority of the cases, gambling enthusiasts will be allowed to wager up to five credits, and this does not only apply by Jacks or Better but to most other video poker variants available out there.
As for the coin denominations, they will vary widely, and while there are versions of Jacks or Better in which players cannot stake more than $1, there are also games in which the least bet amount is around $0.10. Once players have set up their bets, they just need to press the draw/deal button to see which five cards will come out of the deck.
Something gambling enthusiasts need to turn their attention to is that in order to qualify for the most substantial payouts, they should see to it that the maximum number of credits is chosen.
Completing Your Hand
As soon as players have received their first five cards, they should check if their hand already contains any winning combinations. If such are not formed right away, you should check which of the cards you can discard and which you wish to hold. Once you make up your mind about this, the odd cards will be replaced from randomly picked ones from the deck, thus potentially forming a high-paying winning combination.
Players should remember that although they will press the draw button twice, they will not be required to make another bet in order to get rid of the cards they prefer and get new ones.
- Tens or Better Variations
- Deuces Wild Variations
- Video Poker Variations
- Hand Rankings in Video Poker
- Video Poker Rules
Popular Variations of Jacks or Better
Interestingly enough, video poker has a long history, and contrary to what many people consider, it did not appear back in the 1970s. Considering how long its existence is, it makes sense that the game has dramatically evolved over time, and as a result, a number of gripping versions appeared.
In spite of the fact that, for the most part, players will be up against roughly the same game, no matter which version they will pick, each version comes with its intricacies and distinctive traits. Inspecting them closely is a must because even the slightest changes in the paying odds will have an impact on the game’s RTP and the returns players can expect to get.
9/6 Jacks or Better 9/5 Jacks or Better 8/6 Jacks or Better 8/5 Jacks or Better 7/5 Jacks or Better 6/5 Jacks or Better Comparison of the Payback Percentages of The Different Variants of Jacks or Better9/6 Jacks or Better
It appears reasonable that the full-pay or 9/6 variant of Jacks or Better is the one most players prefer to stick with because it is the most advantageous of all options available out there. This is the reason why such games are the hardest to find.
This is true because the payoffs given for Full House and Flush are increased, and stand at 9 for 1 and 6 for 1, respectively. In fact, these are exactly the hands gambling enthusiasts need to take a look at in order to determine how lucrative the preferred version of Jacks or Better will be. If you notice that the payouts for these winning hands are reduced, this means that you have picked a short-pay variant of Jacks or Better.
Full-pay Jacks or Better versions stand out with a respectable RTP of around 99.54%, and it is achieved, given that players rely on the optimal strategy. While adjusting the bet size, players should take into account that the payouts they will be offered for the respective winning hands will increase as they go for betting more credits. Check the following table to see how the offered payouts will change when players stake 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 credits.
| Number of Credits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
As you can see, the payouts offered for a Royal Flush are quite handsome, and depending on the selected number of coins, the payout players will be eligible for will be between 250 and 4.000 credits. This goes to show why the number of credits players will stake will make the difference.
9/5 Jacks or Better
The next-best option players will have if they are taken with Jacks or Better is the 9/5 one. With games of this kind, a Full House pays at the rate of 9 for 1, while a Flush will bring a payout of 5 for 1, and as you expect, this will carry some weight over the RTP of the game. Considering how frequently Flushes will be formed, this goes to explain why this reduction of the payoff will take away over 1% of the return percentage.
The paytable of 9/5 Jacks or Better is as follows:
| Number of Credits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
8/6 Jacks or Better
This variant comes exceptionally close to 9/6 versions of Jacks or Better, or at least when the RTPs of the games are compared. This time, getting a Full House will bring players a payout of 8 for 1, while a Flush will make for a payout of 6 for 1. The reduction in the return percentage of such games is almost insignificant as such Jacks or Better variants have RTPs of around 99.39%.
| Number of Credits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 8 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
8/5 Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better variants that offer a payout of 8 for 1 for a Full House and 5 for 1 for a Flush are among the most widely available ones. The reduction of the payouts for these hands eats up 2.24% of the RTP of the game in comparison with the full-pay variants. Thus, the payout percentage of such games runs into 97.30%.
| Number of Credits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 8 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
7/5 Jacks or Better
Another widespread Jacks or Better version is the 7/5 one, and as is evident, the payouts for a Full House and a Flush are significantly trimmed down. As a result, a Full House will offer a payout of 7 for 1, while completing a Flush means players’ balance will swell with a payout of 5 for 1. Naturally, the RTP of the game does not go unaffected by these payout changes that take away around 3.40% of the return percentage of such games in comparison with the full-pay ones.
Because of the significantly slimmed-down payouts for a Flush and a Full House, it is advisable to steer clear of 7/5 Jacks or Better versions. Fortunately for players, the largest share of the online casinos will offer 8/5 versions at the least that are far more advantageous.
| Number of Credits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 7 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
6/5 Jacks or Better
It goes without saying that the 6/5 version of Jacks or Better is one of the least advantageous options players can potentially come across. The payouts for a Full House and Flush are brought down even further, and the offered payouts are 6 for 1 and 5 for 1, respectively. As a consequence of this reduction of the payouts, the RTP of such games drops to 95%, which is a difference of over 4% as compared to the full-pay variants.
| Number of Credits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 6 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 5 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Comparison of the Payback Percentages of The Different Variants of Jacks or Better
| Jacks or Better Variant | RTP | Royal Flush | Straight Flush | Four of a Kind | Full House | Flush | Straight | Three of a Kind | Two Pairs | Jacks or Better |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 | 99.54% | 800 | 50 | 25 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 9/5 | 98.45% | 800 | 50 | 25 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 8/6 | 98.39% | 800 | 50 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 8/5 | 97.30% | 800 | 50 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 7/5 | 96.15% | 800 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 6/5 | 95.00% | 800 | 50 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
How the RTP Changes Based on the Strategy
Naturally, gambling enthusiasts want to make the most out of their betting session, and having a proper knowledge about the hand rankings is by no means everything players will need in order to achieve their goals.
Obviously, players can maximize their winnings while availing themselves in the referred version of Jacks or Better if they make use of a betting strategy. Fortunately for them, Jacks or Better is the most straightforward of all video poker variants available out there, and the best thing about it is that its fundamental principles apply to the majority of the other video poker games.
Using a strategy is easily the key to success, and even if gambling enthusiasts apply the most basic one, it will take them to the optimal play and help them get the best out of their bets.
When compared to some of the other video poker variants available out there, Jacks or Better does not have that many winning hands, which means that players will be less overwhelmed while reviewing strategy charts.
RTP with a Simple Strategy RTP with an Optimal Strategy RTP with a Simple and Optimal Strategy ComparedRTP with a Simple Strategy
Gambling enthusiasts should not necessarily have plenty of experience in order to use a strategy during their betting session as even the simple one can help them improve their performance.
Sticking to the simple strategy chart means that the RTP will run at 99.46%, which is an insignificant difference from the optimal return percentage. It is important to note that this expected return can be achieved if players have opted for a full-pay variant of Jacks or Better.
Whenever players make a mistake about the mathematically correct move, their mistake will eat up around 0.08% of the expected return percentage. In other words, failing to stick to the basic strategy will take away one bet per 1178 hands.
RTP with an Optimal Strategy
If players decide to adopt the optimal strategy for Jacks or Better, they will benefit from an RTP of 99.54%. Please bear in mind that this RTP is only achieved when gambling enthusiasts stake the maximum number of credits.
RTP with a Simple and Optimal Strategy Compared
| Return | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hand | Simple Strategy | Optimal Strategy |
| Royal Flush | 0.020076 | 0.019807 |
| Straight Flush | 0.005552 | 0.005465 |
| Four of a Kind | 0.059067 | 0.059064 |
| Full House | 0.103657 | 0.10361 |
| Flush | 0.066521 | 0.066087 |
| Straight | 0.042547 | 0.044917 |
| Three of a Kind | 0.223629 | 0.223346 |
| Two Pairs | 0.259104 | 0.258558 |
| Jacks or Better | 0.214437 | 0.214585 |
| No winning combinations | 0 | 0 |
Jacks or Better Optimal Strategy
No matter if players prefer to use the simple or advanced strategy for Jacks or Better, they will always be provided with guidelines in terms of the cards they need to hold or throw based on the hand they are initially dealt. Once players get their first five cards, they should check the chart, starting from the top and moving down until they find the hand they were dealt.
Thus, if none of the lines applies to the hand players are dealt, this means that they need to throw away all their cards. Using this strategy can help players yield better returns as it advises every possible hand.
The hand you are dealt:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Four cards to a Royal Flush
- Full House
- Flush
- Three of a Kind
- Straight
- Four to a Straight Flush
- Two Pairs
- High Pair
- Three to e Royal Flush
- Four to a Flush
- Unsuited Tens, Jacks, Queens, or Kings
- Low Pair
- Four to an outside Straight with up to two high cards
- Three to a Straight Flush
- Suited J and Q
- Four to an inside Straight with four high cards
- Suited Kings and Jacks or Kings and Queens
- Suited AJ, AQ, AK
- Four to an inside Straight with three high cards
- Three to a Straight Flush
- Unsuited J, Q, K
- Unsuited J and Q
- Suited Tens and Jacks
- Two unsuited high cards (K being the highest one)
- Suited Ten and Q
- Two unsuited high cards (A being the highest)
- A single J
- Suited Ten and K
- One Q
- One K
- One A
- Three to a straight flush
- Throw away all five cards
Simple and Optimal Strategy Probability Hands That Should Not Be PlayedSimple and Optimal Strategy Probability
| Probability | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hand | Simple Strategy | Optimal Strategy |
| Royal Flush | 0.000025 | 0.000025 |
| Straight Flush | 0.000111 | 0.000109 |
| Four of a Kind | 0.002363 | 0.002363 |
| Full House | 0.011517 | 0.011512 |
| Flush | 0.011087 | 0.011015 |
| Straight | 0.010637 | 0.011229 |
| Three of a Kind | 0.074543 | 0.074449 |
| Two Pairs | 0.129552 | 0.129279 |
| Jacks or Better | 0.214437 | 0.214585 |
| No winning combinations | 0.545729 | 0.545435 |
Hands That Should Not Be Played
There are several hands that should not be played, and this is exactly the case with an Ace and suited Tens. When this is the case, the Ace is the only card players should hold.
In the event that gambling enthusiasts are dealt three unsuited high cards, and the highest one is an Ace, they need to give up on the Ace and hold the two lower-ranking cards.
If you happen to get four to an inside Straight and you have two high cards, you should keep the two high cards. By the same token, if you receive four to an inside Straight and you only have one high card, this high card is the only one to keep. If you happen to get four to an inside Straight, but you do not have any high cards, then, it is advisable to throw away all cards.
Best Jacks or Better Variants to Play Online
There is no doubt that Jacks or Better is among the most popular video poker variants that are available over the Internet, which is somewhat surprising, considering that this is the game from which all others evolved.
Currently, there is an impressive array of versions of Jacks or Better players can enjoy while placing their bets while being on the move or from the comfort of their surroundings. These are only some of the most attention-grabbing versions of Jacks or Better players can go for these days.
Jacks or Better by Microgaming Jacks or Better Double Up by NetEnt Multi-Hand Jacks or Better by Play’n GO Jacks or Better by Playtech Jacks or Better by RealTime GamingJacks or Better by Microgaming
Jacks or Better by Microgaming is indeed an option to consider if you are currently looking for classic-style video poker variants. The reason why players might be particularly interested in this game is that it is a full-pay Jacks or Better version, meaning that staking five credits per round will bring players a payoff of 800 for 1 when a Royal Flush is formed. It goes without saying that Jacks or Better is the least payer in the game.
It can safely be said that this is a no-frills version of Jacks or Better, as the provider has chosen to not offer any elaborate visuals. For this reason, Microgaming’s take on Jacks or Better might be better suited for video poker fans who want to enjoy an authentic experience because of its resemblance with classic video poker machines.
The game design is by no means intricate, and everything you need to do in order to get started is to adjust your bet and hit the draw button.
The RTP of Jacks or Better by Microgaming is 99.54%, and what makes it stand out from the crowd is that it is equipped with the double -feature, which players can turn on and off based on their preferences.
Jacks or Better Double Up by NetEnt
Gambling enthusiasts who feel at home as they take their place at a poker table should certainly check NetEnt’s Jacks or Better Double Up. This is a multi-hand version of the all-time classic, which allows players to bet on 1, 5, 10, or 25 hands simultaneously. Just like the variant designed by Microgaming, NetEnt’s version of Jacks or Better is also a 9/6 one, which is to say that getting a Full House will bring players a payout of 9 for 1, while a Flush will pay at the rate of 6 for 1.
The creators of gaming content from NetEnt have decided to breathe new life into the many players’ favorite video poker variant, and this is how this visually-pleasing game was rolled out. Visually, the game is dramatically improved upon, but the strongly superior graphical display is not the only strong point of the game as its payout of 800 for 1 for a Royal Flush should not be overlooked.
Getting a winning hand means that players will be asked if they want to attempt to double the amount they have just received. Going for the double-up feature means that players will be presented with five face-down cards, and what they need to do is guess whether the card is red or black. Yet, choosing the wrong color means that players’ winnings will be reset to 0.
Opting for this version of Jacks or Better means that players can stake as little as $0,10 and a maximum of $50.
Multi-Hand Jacks or Better by Play’n GO
Play’n GO’s Multi-Hand Jacks or Better is also likely to cause a stir among players, thanks to its superbly rendered graphics that look equally well across all platforms. The game is recommended for all players who frown upon the idea to play a single hand at a time, as depending on what they prefer, they can bet on 1, 4, 25, or 100 hands simultaneously.
The modern-looking and highly sophisticated variant of Jacks or Better is easily a worthwhile option, but what players should consider about its pay scheme is that it offers reduced payouts for some high-ranking hands. Thus, by closer inspection, you will notice that a Full House pays at the rate of 6 for 1, while a Flush awards a payout of 5 for 1.
As is usually the case with most other video poker games available out there, this one also allows players to bet up to five credits per round.
This time, bets can range between $0.25 and $25. Just like the above-mentioned games, Play’n GO’s Multi-Hand Jacks or Better is also equipped with the double-up functionality. Each time a winning hand is formed, players will be asked if they want to try to double up the amount they have won, provided that they guess the color of a face-down card. Making a correct pick will bring players a win of 4x, but if they make a wrong decision, they will part with all their winnings.
Jacks or Better by Playtech
Boasting solid and adroitly designed graphics, Playtech’s Jacks or Better is another video poker variant players can enjoy whenever they feel like it. The game’s interface is understandable, which makes it possible for all players to wrap their heads around and go ahead with their betting session.
Giving this game a shot means that players can decide if they prefer to stick to betting on one hand, or they would rather bet on 4, 10, 25, or 50 hands at once.
What might come as a small disappointment for some players is that this game is not a 9/6 version of Jacks or Better. The payouts gambling enthusiasts will be up against instead is 8 for 1 for a Full House and 5 for 1 for a Flush. With this in mind, the game is simply a regular video poker version, which is to say that at least Jacks or Better is needed in order for players to get a payout.
The double-or-nothing game is unlocked as soon as players form a winning hand, but what they should not forget is that if they make an inappropriate decision, this will cost them their winnings.
As likely as not, the bet limits will fit the preferences of all players as they will be allowed to stake as little as $0.10 and up to $50.
Jacks or Better by RealTime Gaming
The game-makers from RealTime Gaming have not turned a blind eye to the popularity video poker has acquired, which has resulted in the creation of Jacks or Better. In spite of the fact that it does not boast sophisticated or stellar visuals, the game is easily worthwhile.
On the positive side of things, the game is equipped with easy-to-use controls, which makes it a perfect option for players with all experience levels.
RealTime Gaming’s Jacks or Better is also an 8/5 one, which is to say that a Full House pays at the rate of 8 for 1, while getting a Flush will result in a payoff of 5 for 1. As usual, the highest-paying hand is a Royal Flush, and landing such while playing five credits means that a payout of 800 for 1 will come players’ way.
As a winning hand is completed, the optional double-or-nothing game will be unlocked. In order for players to collect twice more handsome prizes, they should pick a card with a higher denomination than the face-up one.
The bet limits are reasonable, and depending on what they prefer, players can stake a minimum of $0.05 and up to $25.