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The tips below for traditional Jacks or Better video poker are written in simple laymen's terms.  Of the three most popular types of video poker (Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker), Jacks or Better is number one in popularity among casino visitors.  Deuces Wild comes in a distant second.

As you learned from the "general video poker tips" page, playing speed and card combination recognition are supremely important.  Therefore, it is always better to play using credits.  Dropping coins or tokens into the machines will only slow you down.  It also breaks your concentration, and can even cause you to overlook or miss potential winning card combinations.  And, anything that breaks your concentration should be eliminated.

The Jacks or Better tips shown here are general in nature.  They will probably NOT cover every possible scenario that could occur, but they will serve you well in most cases.  The guide below assumes a few things that you need to be aware of:

  1. The top jackpot is NOT over 5500 coins, and the machine is not "progressive."
  2. You are NOT playing with a short bankroll.
  3. You are NOT playing less than 4-hour sessions.
    NOTE:  You can use the tips below for short sessions, but they are
    written for longer sessions - typically 6 - 8 hours in duration.

The cards you hold, and WHEN you hold them, depends upon the cards you are first dealt.  Also, the tips are written in descending order of importance.  In other words, see if your opening hand fits the scenario listed in "#1."  If not, move to #2, and so on.  If NONE of tips apply to your opening hand, don't be afraid to discard ALL FIVE cards.  Many video poker players are not comfortable with this, but when you consider that about 6-8% of winning hands come from such "full discards," it is in your best interests to do so.

    SPECIAL NOTE:  Many video poker machines give the player a chance to "double" the value of a winning hand.  Whether you choose to play this "game within a game" is entirely up to you.  Some video poker players do, and some do not.

    If you decide to double during a particular session, it may be wise to make this decision before you reach the casino.  For example, you should decide ahead of time precisely WHEN you will double.  You might choose to double every hand, or perhaps, only on certain wins that pay a specific dollar amount.  Regardless, it's important to make these decisions BEFORE play begins, and stick to them once your gaming session is underway.  Planning ahead will reduce uncertainty and/or confusion once play begins.  If you know in advance what your plan is, you can incorporate your decisions into your natural playing rhythm.





EASY-GUIDE FOR JACKS OR BETTER VIDEO POKER

(presented in descending order of importance)

    OFF THE OPENING DEAL:


    1.  Break any winning combination of two pairs or better for a 4-card Royal Flush.

      EXCEPTION:  Hold a straight flush.


    2.  Only break a high pair for:

      a)  a 4-card Royal Flush.
      b)  a 4-card straight flush.
      c)  same-suit King/Queen/Jack IF the Royal pays more than 4700 coins.


    3.  Only break a low pair for:

      a)  a 4-card straight flush.
      b)  a 4-card flush.
      c)  a 3-card Royal Flush.
      d)  King/Queen/Jack/Ten (mixed suits).


    4.  Keep a 4-card flush or 4-card straight (open-ended).

      EXCEPTION:  Keep a 3-card Royal.  Draw two cards.


    5.  When faced with keeping a 4-card straight OR a 4-card flush - hold the flush.

    6.  Keep a 3-card straight flush UNLESS:

      a)  you have a winning combination.
      b)  you have a pair (high or low).
      c)  you have a 4-card flush.
      d)  you have a 4-card straight (open-ended).
      e)  you have one or two high cards AND the 3-card straight flush has NO high cards.  Draw to the high cards instead.


    7.  Only discard an Ace/King/Queen/Jack (mixed suits) in favor of:

      a)  same suit Jack/Queen.
      b)  3 same-suit high cards (whether consecutive or not).


    8.  If you have the Ace/King/Queen/Jack, throw away any 3 of them in favor of any 2 same-suit high cards.

    9.  Keep an inside straight IF it has three high cards.

    10.  Hold 1, 2, or 3 high cards.

      NOTE:  If an Ace is one of the three high cards, throw it away and keep the other two UNLESS the Ace is of the same suit as another high card.  In that case, keep the Ace and the other same-suit card.


    11.  Keep a Ten:

      a)  when you also have a Queen or Jack of the same suit.
      b)  when you have a King of the same suit AND there is NO "penalty" card (discard in the same suit).
      c)  you also have the Ace of that suit AND the Royal Flush pays over 5000 coins.




      If none of the above apply, draw 5 new cards.


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