Basic Jacks or Better video poker strategy

In the previous article, we talked about Jacks or Better, the most loved video poker variation among card games fans. There’s no use counting on luck in any video poker. This card game is all about decision-making. It requires solid knowledge and strategic thinking. Below we have listed useful recommendations on how to play Jacks or Better and win. These tips make up the basic Jacks or Better video poker strategy. By memorizing these rules, you’ll make your playing process much easier and keep your winning chances high. Our strategy has every possible combination covered. Before applying the strategy, make sure you’re familiar with every single card combination, starting from the basic ones. With our guidelines, you’ll deliver much better results in Jacks or Better at online casino.

The strategy below is a great way to remember which cards to keep and which ones to discard.

Royal Flush or Straight Flush – keep all cards.

Four of Kind – keep the four same-value cards, replace the fifth card.

Full House – keep all cards.

Four cards to a Royal Flush – keep the Royal Flush and discard the fifth card. Do it even if you need to split your Flush.

Four cards to a Straight Flush – keep the Straight Flush and replace the fifth card, even if you need to split a pair. Do not split a complete Flush, though.

Flush – keep all cards.

Straight – keep all cards.

Three of a Kind – keep the combination, replace the other two cards.

Two Pairs – keep the combination, replace the fifth card.

Same-suit KQJ or QJT – keep the combinations, discard the remaining cards. You may still score a Royal Flush.

JJ or higher – keep the pair, replace other cards.

Three cards to a Royal Flush in a random order – keep the combination, discard the other cards.

Unsuited KQJT – keep the combination, replace the fifth card (even if it’s an Ace).

Any low pair – keep the pair, replace the other cards.

Four cards to a Straight Flush, no pair – keep the four cards, replace the fifth one.

Suited cards in a sequence, no pair – keep the suited cards, discard the others.

Suited QJ, no pair – keep the QJ combination, replace the other cards.

Unsuited AKQJ – keep the combination, replace the fifth card. You still have a chance of scoring a Straight or even better.

Two suited cards higher than Т – keep the two cards, replace the others.

Three cards to a Straight Flush in a random order – keep the cards, replace the other two.

Suited JT – keep the cards, discard the other three.

Suited QT, no more same-suit cards – keep the QT, replace the remaining hand.

Four low unsuited cards, the fifth card is J,Q, or K. Keep the fifth card, replace the other four.

Four low unsuited cards, the fifth card is Ace. Replace the entire hand. There is no use trying to complete a one-gap Straight or a three-card Flush.