Video Poker

Jacks or Better is a video poker game of which many variants have been designed. It deals a 52-card deck and a player wins by making a pair of jacks or better. It has the simplest basic strategy of all video poker games. Its variance is also comparatively low.

How to Play Wizard of Vegas Jacks or Better

A hand of Jacks or Better starts with a wager of one to five coins. Wizard of Vegas recommends always betting five coins to receive the maximum payout on a royal flush of 4000, which equates to 800 per coin wagered. Bets lower than five coins only receive 250 for every credit wagered.

The bet may be made by either clicking the "Bet One" button the desired number of times or clicking "Bet Max" to wager five coins. The "Bet Max" option will deal cards immediately, while using the "Bet One" button requires the player to hit "Deal" to start the hand.

The Wizard of Vegas Jacks or Better game will deal five cards after the bet is made. Click the cards that you want to hold and hit the "Draw" button to receive replacement cards. The game also offers keyboard shortcuts. Click C, V, B, N, and M to keep the cards from left to right.

It is easy to wager the same number of credits on future hands. Simply click the "Deal" button to rebet the same amount.

If you run out of credits or below where you would like to be, you can reload the page to reset the amount to 1,000 coins.

Other Wizard of Vegas Jacks or Better Features

Help - This feature describes all of the rules of the game and keyboard shortcuts.

More Games - Returns to our menu of 12 free play video poker titles.

Speed - Allows you to set the game to any of our four available speeds.

Stats - Displays the number of hand dealt, coins wagered, number of coins won, and percentage of coins returned based on the total amount wagered.

Edit Paytable - We use the top paytable that returns nine credits per coin on a full house and six on a flush. This paytable is not available in most casinos. Our Jacks or Better free play game allows you to set the pay table to the one spread by your local casino.

Jacks or Better Strategy

Jacks or Better is a great stepping stone game for video poker because its basic strategy is very simple compared to more complex Bonus Poker games. A dealt royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, and three of a kind should always be kept.

The following is a list, in order, of what should be held. Find the scenario that pertains to your hand, starting at the top.

• Four to a royal flush
• Made straight or flush
• Four to a straight flush
• Two pair
• Pair of jacks or higher
• Three to a royal flush
• Four to a flush
• Pair of 2's through 10's
• Four to an outside straight
• Two suited cards jack or higher
• Three to a straight flush
• 2 unsuited cards jack or higher (if more than 2 then pick the lowest 2)
• Suited TJ, QJ, or KT
• Bare card jack or higher

If none of the above applies, discard all five cards.

Jacks or Better Paytable

The following paytable assumes a bet of five coins. It is based on the odds offered on our Wizard of Vegas Jacks or Better game. The payouts are on a per coin basis.

• Royal flush: 800 (250 if less than five coins are wagered)
• Straight flush: 50
• Four of a kind: 25
• Full house: 9
• Flush: 6
• Straight: 4
• Three of a kind: 3
• Two pair: 2
• Pair of jacks or better: 1