Jacks or Better Tips - Video Poker Prophet

Jacks or Better Tips

Jacks or Better is often called the original video poker game. Players must collect a pair of jacks or better in order to win thus the name. Any sort of lower card pair is useless in the game so it’s important to keep that in mind when looking at different strategies.

In this article we’ll cover a few of the basic strategies that can be used for the game.

First of all never keep a kicker when playing jacks or better, or any video poker game for that matter.
Hold on to any paying hand you have unless you’ve got a chance at “the big one” (a.k.a. a royal flush) in which case it’s probably worth the risk.
Do not chase after gutshot straights (a.k.a. inside straights) because in the long run they will only damage your bank roll.
Do not break a full house to go after a four of a kind. It’s not worth it when you already have a good hand.
If you are lucky enough to draw four of the cards of the same suit especially when a potential straight flush is involved hold on to them and go for the flush.
If you have the chance to choose between going for a regular straight or a straight flush go for the straight flush.
Always choose four cards to a straight flush over three cards to a royal flush.
If you have three cards for an open straight pursue it unless you have four cards of the same suit in which case go for the flush.
If given the option between keeping a high pair or going for a gutshot straight keep the high pair and go for the three of a kind.
If given the option between keeping a high pair or pursuing a flush with only three cards of the same suit keep the high pair and go for the three of a kind.
Always play full pay games when possible
Always make the max bet when it’s economically reasonable
Practice and understand the ranking of pay out of each hand
Always let the machine deal you a winner

There are some much more thorough strategies out there but by sticking to these simple ones you should see some improvement on your returns in the long run. The main idea is to weigh the risk and rewards of pursuing each hand.

For more tips and articles on video poker, check out Predictem.com

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