How Does Jacks or Better Pay Out?
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How does Jacks or Better pay out? It is the most popular version of video poker and is enjoyed by millions of people each year. New players need to master the basics of the game, including payouts, the rules, and strategies for this poker game.
This guide highlights the basics of Jacks or Better. I will break down how Jacks or Better works, explain the game’s rules, and analyze the game’s strategies. Also, I will tell you the best poker sites for enjoying Jacks or Better online today.
What Is Jacks or Better?
First and foremost, what is Jacks or Better? Simply put, this video poker machine is a variation of video poker where, as the name implies, the player needs jacks or better to qualify for a winning hand.
If you are new to card games, then you may be asking: what is jacks or better in poker? Jacks or better means you need a pair of jacks or better to win. So, you can have a higher ranking pair, like a pair of Kings, or any hand better than a single pair, such as two pairs, to win that round.
How Does Jacks or Better Work?
Video poker machines are based on five-card draw poker games, and Jacks or Better is no exception. However, instead of competing against another player, your payout will be based on your final hand each round.
Players start with five cards in their hand. You can discard any of the cards in your initial hands, but some variations restrict the total number of cards you can replace. For instance, you may only be able to replace four of your starting five cards.
After replacing your discarded cards, the machine will determine the final value of your hand. Remember, you need at least a pair of jacks to win a prize. Also, the better your hand, the bigger your payout at the end of the game.
How Does Jacks or Better Pay Out?
The rules are simple, but how does Jacks or Better pay out? The exact payouts for this game will vary from one machine to another. Ideally, you want a machine with a 9/6 payout table or better. Your payouts will also vary based on the number of credits you wager on the hand.
Here is an example of a popular Jacks or Better pay table.
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 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 Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
This is referred to as a 9/6 Jacks or Better table because the Full House pays 9x your stake, and the Flush pays 6x. These are the hands you want to focus on when comparing payout tables for this video poker game.
As you can see, the payout increases according to the number of coins you wager on the hand. At the maximum bet of five coins, the payout for a Royal Flush is 4,000x your stake amount.
This potential for a massive payout is the main reason you should always bet the maximum number of coins when you can afford to. The increase in potential payout helps minimize the house edge that you face every hand.
How to Play Jacks or Better Video Poker
Learning how to play Jacks or Better is easy, but mastering the game is easier said than done. Here are the simple steps everyone can follow to start playing Jacks or Better today.
1. Set your bankroll: Before you play Jacks or Better, you must set your bankroll. This is your budget that you will use to enjoy this video poker title.
2. Pick your Jacks or Better machine: After you have your bankroll set, you can decide what Jacks or Better machine you want to play. Ideally, you will find a machine with a 9/6 pay table or better.
3. Make your initial bet: Next, you can start playing your preferred Jacks or Better game. Make your initial bet to receive your starting hand. Remember, the best way to maximize your RTP is to bet the maximum number of coins.
4. Assess your initial hand: Once you have your hand, you must assess your cards and decide which ones are worth keeping.
5. Discard unwanted cards: After deciding which cards you want to keep, you can discard the unwanted cards from your hand. The dealer will replace the cards you have dismissed from your hand.
6. Collect winnings and play again: Lastly, now that you have your final hand, the round is over. The machine assesses your hand to determine what payout you qualify for. Then, you can repeat steps three through six as often as your bankroll allows.
Jacks or Better Hand Rankings
One of the most important rules to understand in Jacks or Better is the rankings of each hand. The good news is this machine uses standard poker hand rankings as follows.
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three-of-a-Kind
- Two Pair
- Jacks or Better
How to Decide Which Cards to Discard in Jacks or Better
Picking the cards to keep in your hand is one of the most important decisions you will make in Jacks or Better. Here are the cards you should prioritize keeping in this video poker game.
- Any pair or jacks or better: These cards guarantee a winning hand
- Straight or flush pieces: If you have three or more cards to a high straight or flush, you only discard the odd card(s) out.
- Any high cards: If you are unlikely and do not have a clear path to a winning hand, keep up to two high cards and discard the rest.
Common Jacks or Better Mistakes
Jacks or Better is an easy game to learn but that does not prevent new players from making mistakes. Here are three common mistakes to avoid in this game:
1. Not having a strategy: You must have a strategy to succeed consistently at video poker. Having a strategy will also help you review your results and improve your skills.
2. Discarding low pairs: A low pair by itself will not pay, but it is just one card away from a three-of-a-kind. In most cases, you should keep your low pairs.
3. Not betting the max: Betting the max reduces the house edge. Any bet other than the max increases the edge for the casino.
Jacks or Better Strategy to Maximize Payouts
Your Jacks or Better strategy will significantly impact your overall experience. The better your strategy, the better your odds of winning at these high-paying video poker machines.
You can use many strategies, but here is a basic optimal Jacks or Better strategy.
- Four cards to a Straight or Flush = Hold all four and draw 1
- Three cards to a Royal Flush = Hold all three and draw two
- Three cards to a Straight Flush: Keep all three and draw two
- Pair = Hold pair and draw three
- No matching cards = Hold any high cards and discard the rest
- No combos or high cards= Discard the maximum number of cards
Where to Play Jacks or Better Video Poker Online
Jacks or Better video poker is extremely popular, and there is no shortage of titles for you to try. For the best experience, though, you should play at secure casino sites that offer a wide selection of video poker games.
Here are three top casino sites with paid and free Jacks or Better games.
New players can benefit from starting with free versions of the game. In a free demo, you can gain experience without risking any of your bankroll. Once you master the rules and your strategy, switch to the paid version to start raking in the wins.
Are You Ready to Play Jacks or Better Video Poker?
Read the guide above to learn how Jacks or Better pays out, the basic rules of the game, and the optimal strategy for this video poker machine. I also give recommendations for where to play Jacks or Better for free today.
After reading my Jacks or Better video poker guide, you should be ready to try this popular game. Sign up at BetOnline or another of our top-rated sites to start playing this game today.
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