Jacks or Better Video Poker
If you enjoy playing slot machines and poker, then this game is one that is definitely for you. The origins of the game are unknown, but the earliest mentions are from the 1800’s. Jacks or Better started to take over from the Three Card Monte as it was described a fairer game. It can be found in almost all casinos both online and land based.
Jacks or Better Video poker is a 5-card standard poker game. If you can manage to get a favourable hand while playing the game, you can land yourself a nice jackpot. As is usual for all online or video card games it features a deck of 52 cards. These cards are auto shuffled at the beginning of each deal and are randomly dealt.
There are two methods in which you can play Jacks or Better video poker. The game can be set to manual play where you take the reins and make every decision. The other option is autoplay where the player sets the designated stake and allows the automated software to play the hands-on behalf of the player. This feature is also visible on numerous online slot machines.
In Jacks or Better you get an extra point for every pair of Jacks or higher that you receive. In this video poker game, you can also play up to 100 hands at a time. As a result, the more hands you bet with the better your possible winnings can be. It is one of the most popular online and land-based games as there is a low house edge.
Jacks or Better Hand Variations
Just to start with the very basics the game begins as soon as you place a bet on the machine. You are then dealt five cards. The player then decides which cards to hold or discard in the hopes of getting a better hand. Below is a list of the different hand values which a player can hold.
High – A card that is a Jack or higher. For example, a Jack, Queen, King or Ace.
Pair – two cards that have the same number. For example, two Kings.
Two Pair – two pairs of cards that have the same number. For example, two 3s and two 6s.
Three of a Kind – three cards that have the same number. For example, three 8s.
Straight – like the Straight Flush except the five cards do not have to have the same suit. They just need to go in sequential order.
Four to a Straight Flush – is when you’ve dealt four out of the five cards needed to complete a straight flush.
Flush –five cards that have the same suit.
Full House – is a hand that has both a three of a kind as well as a pair. For example, three Aces and two 5s.
Four of a Kind – four cards that have the same number. For example, four Queens or four 10s.
Straight Flush – five cards that go in sequential order and all have the same suit. For example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 all suited as hearts.
Three to a Royal Flush – when you have three of the cards necessary to complete a Royal Flush.
Four to a Flush – when you have four cards of the same suit.
Four to a Straight – four cards that are in sequential order.
Three to a Straight Flush – Three cards in sequential order with the same suit.
Two to a Royal Flush – Two cards away from reaching a Royal Flush.
Royal Flush – is the strongest and highest paying hand you can get. It’s a hand containing five cards with the same suit that go in order from 10 to Ace. For example, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace with all of them being suited with hearts.
Guide: CanPlay Video Poker
Jacks or Better Tips
The best way to improve and get better is to learn the possible hand variations as well as the pay-outs which come with them. A basic understanding of the games rules and the possible hands will ensure you become a better player. Once you are aware of this you will know what to do with each hand you receive. Here is a list of which cards that you should hold based on what you are dealt.
- A Full house or better
- 4 of a royal flush
- Flush, straight or three of a kind
- 4 to a straight flush
- Two pair
- High pair
- 3 to a royal flush
- 4 to a flush
- Low pair
- 4 to an outside straight
- 2 suited high cards
- 3 to a straight flush
- 2 unsuited high cards (if more than 2 pick the lowest 2)
- Suited 10/Jack, 10/Queen or 10/King
- One high card
- Discard everything
Players can take this list to their online poker experience. It is designed to give the player the best likelihood of making a profit from video poker. Players can try out these tips right here at Canplay.
