Feb 13 2009
Video Poker Strategy: Jacks or Better (easy)
Jacks or Better is the most common, if not the most popular, version of video poker. It is also the basis for most of the variations on the game. So I figured a good place to start with video poker strategy would be with this game. The strategy guide below is relatively easy to follow, but there are some more complicated (and higher paying) strategies that we’ll get to later. The way this works is that I’ve ranked below all of the possible hands/ways to play them, in order of best to worst. That is, if you have a hand which could be, for instance, either a pair or 4 to a flush, you look at the list below, and see which is higher, and hold those cards. Let me know if you have any questions!
Four of a kind; straight flush; or a royal
Four to a royal
Three of a kind; straight; flush; or full house
Four to a straight flush
Two pair
Pair of Jacks or better
3 to a royal
4 to a flush
Pair of tens or lower
4 to an outside straight (four connected cards,excluding AKQJ or A234)
2 suited face cards
3 to a straight flush
2 unsuited face cards (hold the lowest two if you have more than two)
Suited 10/J; suited 10/Q; or suited 10/K
One jack or better
If you have none of these hands, you should discard the entire hand. Hopefully this is helpful. Let me know!
