Jacks or Better Video Poker

Video Poker Today > Jacks or Better Video Poker

This game is the first and most basic of all the video poker variations. If you master this one then all the rest will seem much easier. The basics of this game are to end up with the best five card ranked poker hand. The machine will deal you five cards as your “starting hand” Now you must decide which you want to keep and which to replace. Select the cards you are going to keep by hitting the hold button under the card and once you are satisfied click the deal or draw button. The cards you discarded will be replaced and the result is your five card poker hand that determines whether or not you win. The difference here from a regular poker game is that in order to be eligible for a payout, you must be holding at least a pair in your hand that is no less than two Jacks. A pair of 10’s or 5’s for example are losing hands and you are rewarded with nothing, the house wins in this instance. The rest of the hands in poker are ranked as usual and the paytable on the video poker machine will outline how much you win for each made hand. The following is a list of Jacks or Better winning hands (from highest ranked to lowest),

Royal Flush. This is the best poker hand possible. This hand consists of exactly a Ten, Jack, Queen, King and An Ace, where all MUST be of the same suit. For example, 10d, Jd, Qd, Kd and Ad.

Straight Flush. This hand consists of five cards in numerical sequence and of the same suit. For example, 4h, 5h, 6h, 7h and 8h.

Four of a Kind. A hand that consists of 4 cards of the same rank and one other. For example, 10d, 10h, 10s, 10c and 4h.

Full House. A hand consisting of 3 cards of the same rank along with cards of another rank. For example, 8h, 8s, 8c, Qc and Qd.

Flush. A hand consisting of 5 cards which are all of the same suit. For example, 3s, 7s, 10s, Js and As.

Straight. A hand consisting of five cards in numerical sequence (suit doesn’t play a role). For example, 7c, 8c, 9s, 10h and Jd.

Three of a Kind. A hand consisting of 3 cards of the same rank and any two others. For example, 9d, 9h, 9c, Qs and Kd.

Two Pair. A hand consisting of two groups of pairs and one other card. For example, 4c, 4d, 8s, 8c and Ad.

Pair (of Jacks or Better). A hand consisting of a pair of cards of the same rank that are at least a pair of Jacks. A pair of 10’s or less do not receive a payout. For example, Qc, Qd, 6h, 4d and 2d.