There are hundreds, even thousands, of video poker players who diligently look for the best video poker games. They learn and regularly practice the proper playing strategy for the games and pay tables that are available. They practice strict money management, and basically do everything they can to maximize each video poker session they have in a casino.
Most casino video poker players are not this diligent, however. They simply want to relax a little and have some fun playing video poker. They may have heard that video poker has higher returns than standard slots so they choose to play video poker.
They expect to lose, since casinos have the edge. They just want a shot at winning something without a lot of effort.
This article is for those players. A very basic video poker playing strategy for Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker is given which will help the player win more than a random player. And, with only 12 lines, it can be easily learned and mastered.
Contents
- What this simple Jacks or Better strategy is and what it is not
- How to use the simple Jacks or Better video poker playing strategy
- Definition of terms in the strategy
- Video poker games that this strategy applies to
- The simple Jacks or Better video poker strategy chart
- Summary
What this simple Jacks or Better strategy is and what it is not
The simple Jacks or Better video poker strategy presented in this article is:
- A real, mathematically developed, video poker strategy that shows the best holds in the proper sequence that allow the player to win more.
- It is very simple to learn and remember when playing in a casino. A short (several minute) review of the strategy before playing in a casino should be sufficient for most players to master it.
- As with any video poker game, always play the maximum of five credits per hand. The royal flush will then pay 800-for-1 (4,000-for-5) rather than 250-for-1 if less than five credits are bet.
This simple Jacks or Better video poker strategy is not:
- A strategy that will get the highest possible return from play. It will get a reasonably good return with very little effort required to learn the strategy.
How to use the simple Jacks or Better video poker playing strategy
This strategy works in the same way as more complex strategies used by advanced video poker players. To use the strategy:
- Start at the top line of the strategy.
- If the hand that was dealt is described by the line, hold the cards indicated.
- If the dealt hand is not described by the line, move to the next lower line in the strategy and repeat the previous step.
- If you reach the last line and it does not describe the dealt hand, do not hold any of the cards dealt. Draw five new cards.
Very straightforward. Very simple.
Definition of terms in the strategy
To properly use the strategy, the player must know the terminology used.
- Royal flush: the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit – (Spades, Clubs, Diamonds or Hearts). They can be in any sequence.
- Straight flush: Five cards of the same suit that are sequential (but not necessarily in order). E.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of hearts or 9, 5, 7, 8, 6 of clubs.
- Flush: five cards of the same suit – e.g. 3, 6, 9, 10, jack of diamonds.
- Straight: cards of different suits that are in sequence (though not necessarily in order).
- High cards: Ace, King, Queen, Jack (but not 10 or less)
- If less than five cards of the specified hand are present, there can be gaps in the sequence but the sequence must be able to be completed with five sequential cards.
Video poker games that this strategy applies to
Due to the very simple nature of this strategy, it can apply to more than one game and pay table. This strategy works equally well on Jacks or Better (9/6* or 8/5*) or 8/5* Bonus Poker. * 9/6 means 9-for-1 for a full house and 6-for-1 for a flush, 8/5 means 8-for-1 for a full house and 5-for-1 for a flush.
Example pay tables:
|
9/6 Jacks or Better – Hand |
5-Credits Pays |
|---|---|
|
Royal Flush |
4,000 |
|
Straight Flush |
250 |
|
4-of-a-kind |
125 |
|
Full house |
45 (9-for-1) |
|
Flush |
30 (6-for-1) |
| Straight | 20 |
|
3-of-a-kind |
15 |
|
Two Pair |
10 |
|
High Pair |
5 |
|
8/5 Jacks or Better – Hand |
5-Credits Pays |
|---|---|
|
Royal Flush |
4,000 |
|
Straight Flush |
250 |
|
4-of-a-kind |
125 |
|
Full house |
40 (8-for-1) |
| Flush | 25 (5-for-1) |
|
Straight |
20 |
|
3-of-a-kind |
15 |
|
Two Pair |
10 |
|
High Pair |
5 |
|
8/5 Bonus Poker – Hand |
5-Credits Pays |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
|
Straight Flush |
250 |
|
4 Aces |
400 |
| 4 2s, 3s, 4s | 200 |
|
4 5s-Ks |
125 |
|
Full house |
40 (8-for-1) |
|
Flush |
25 (5-for-1) |
| Straight | 20 |
|
3-of-a-kind |
15 |
|
Two Pair |
10 |
|
High Pair |
5 |
Make sure the pay table of the selected game matches one that this strategy applies to.
The simple Jacks or Better strategy chart
- Any paying hand – except always hold a 4-card royal flush
- Any 4-card straight flush
- Any 3-card royal flush
- Any 4-card flush
- Low pair (22 thru TT)
- Any 4-card straight – no gaps
- Any two suited high cards (e.g. K, J of spades)
- Any 3-card straight flush (e.g. 4, 7, 8 of diamonds)
- Three high cards – different suits
- Two high cards – different suits
- Suited KT, QT, JT
- Lone A, K, Q, or J
Only 12 lines in the strategy. If the dealt hand is not defined in one of those lines, draw five new cards.
Summary
There are hundreds, even thousands of serious video poker players who are willing to take the time and expend the effort to get every last nickel they can from their video poker play.
There are many times more recreational video poker players that are not willing to spend the time and effort for the same results. This article presents a simple strategy (only 12 lines) that is simple to learn and use in a casino for these casual players. They may not get as high a return as those players who use a more complex strategy, but they will do better than the masses who simply go with their gut.
If you are one of these casual players, consider trying this simple strategy. You may be very pleased with the results.
