Online Gambling
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Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy

One of the oldest and most popular casino video poker games is Jacks or Better. Below is a strategy chart for playing perfect Jack or Better video poker. To use this chart is simple. Find your initial starting hand below and keep the highest-ranking hand you’re able to achieve.

If your starting hand is a:

  1. Royal Flush - Hold 5 Cards; Drop 0 Cards.
  2. Straight Flush - Hold 5 Cards; Drop 0 Cards.
  3. 4 of a Kind - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  4. 4 Cards to a Royal Flush - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  5. Full House - Hold 5 Cards; Drop 0 Cards.
  6. Flush - Hold 5 Cards; Drop 0 Cards.
  7. 3 of a Kind - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  8. Straight - Hold 5 Cards; Drop 0 Cards.
  9. 4 Cards to a Straight Flush - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  10. Two Pairs - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  11. A Pair of Jacks or a Higher Pair - Hold 2 Cards; Drop 3 Cards.
  12. 3 Cards to a Royal Flush - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  13. 4 Cards to a Flush - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  14. Ten - jack - Queen - King (Unsuited) - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  15. A Pair of 10's or lower - Hold 2 Cards; Drop 3 Cards.
  16. Nine - Ten - Jack - Queen (unsuited) - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  17. Eight - Nine - Ten - Jack (unsuited) - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  18. Nine - Jack - Queen (Same suite) - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  19. Nine - Ten - Queen (Same Suite) - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  20. 4 Cards to a Straight - open ended - no high Cards - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  21. 3 Cards to a Straight Flush, two gaps, two high cards - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  22. 3 Cards to a Straight Flush, one gap, one high card - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  23. 3 Cards to a Straight Flush, open ended , no high cards - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  24. Jack - Queen - King - Ace (Unsuited) - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  25. 2 Cards to a Royal Flush, two high cards - Hold 2 Cards; Drop 3 Cards.
  26. 4 Cards to a Straight, one gap, three high cards - Hold 4 Cards; Drop 1 Card.
  27. 3 Cards to a straight flush, one gap, no high cards - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  28. Jack - Queen - King (Unsuited) - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  29. 2 High Cards (Unsuited). - Hold 2 Cards; Drop 3 Cards.
  30. 2 Cards to a to a Royal Flush with a 10 and no Ace - Hold 2 Cards; Drop 3 Cards.
  31. 1 High Card - Hold 1 Cards; Drop 4 Cards.
  32. 3 cards to a Straight Flush, Two gaps, no high Cards - Hold 3 Cards; Drop 2 Cards.
  33. Other Video Poker Hands - Hold 0 Cards; Drop 5 Cards.

Strategy Notes:

  1. This is for 9/6 Full Pay Jack or Better Video Poker
  2. Open ended is where a straight can be completed at either end. (4,5,6,7)
  3. A gap is a missing card on the inside of a straight or at the end. (4,5,6,8 or J, Q, K, A)

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