Some Tips On Jacks Or Better

Tip Category: Video Poker

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Jacks Or Better is the most common video poker game and is offered at all online casinos. Most online casinos offer the 9-6 version and not the 8-5 version but it is better to check out the payout table to make sure. The 9-6 version offers a payout of 9 to 1 for a full house and 6 to 1 for a flush. The 8-5 version offers a payout of 8 to 1 for a full house and 5 to 1 for a flush.

The player’s decision making involvement in the game is with regards to holding cards. The first principle is that if a winning combination is drawn hang on to it. Do not reject cards from a winning combination in the hope of getting something better. Most online casinos mark the cards belonging to a winning combination as ‘hold’ when the hand is dealt. This is to make it convenient for the players. Keep these cards on hold and also hold on to any other cards as may be required.

Various strategies have been formulated for deciding which cards to hold. They are of differing complexities. The simplest strategy leads to an average payout ratio of 99.46%. The most complex strategy, often referred to as optimal strategy leads to an average payout ratio of 99.54%. The difference is marginal. Unless you are an expert at the game and play it for long periods the simplest strategy is sufficient. It is simple to learn and execute. Some of the salient features of the simple strategy are highlighted below.

Be reminded to hold cards of any winning combination. Hold on to four cards that will lead to any kind of flush be it a royal flush, straight flush or simple flush. Hold onto three cards leading to a royal flush or a straight flush. It is not worth holding on to three cards leading to a simple flush. Though the chances of winning are the same as in the case of the royal and straight flush the payout is lower and therefore the risk of holding on to three cards leading to a simple flush is not worth the return.

Put any pair on hold. A high pair is already a winning combination. With reference to Jacks or Better a high card is a jack, queen, king or ace. This is because pairs of only these cards lead to a winning combination. Players should retain low pairs in the hope of getting three of a kind. Any three of a kind pays out therefore all pairs are worth holding.

Put four cards to an outside straight on hold. To complete an outside straight cards of any two ranks can be drawn one on either end. To complete an inside straight cards of only one rank will have to be drawn because the missing card is on the inside. Therefore the chance of completing the inside straight is half of the chance of completing an outside straight. This makes it not worthwhile to go for the inside straight.

Keep at most two high cards in trying for the high pair. If three high cards are drawn the first time round then discard one. Changing three cards will give players a better chance of getting the pair. If the hand drawn does not meet any of these possibilities it is a junk hand and all five cards should be replaced.