Jacks or Better video poker is extremely popular because it moves fast and is easy to play, while retaining an element of strategy. The object of Jacks or Better video poker is to attain the highest ranked poker hand. The payoff for each hand is displayed on the video poker machine face.
Let's Play!
At the beginning of each game you are required to place an initial wager.
- Select a coin value of either 5¢, 25¢, $1, or $5.
- Click the coin slot, Bet One or Bet Max.
- Click the coin slot, up to five times, until the number of coins displayed equals the amount you wish to bet.
- Click Bet One, up to five times, until the number of coins displayed equals the amount you wish to bet.
- Click Bet Max once to bet the maximum amount allowed.
- Your hand will be automatically dealt if you bet the maximum amount using any of the three methods listed above.
- To reduce your bet amount, right-click on either the coin slot or Bet One to remove coins. Your bet will be reduced by the amount of the currently selected coin each time you right-click. You can also click Cashout to remove all coins prior to spinning the reels.
- Click Deal and five cards will appear face up on the screen.
Rules
Jacks or Better video poker uses a one deck shoe.
The deck is re-shuffled after every hand.
Once the cards are dealt, you may choose to keep any of the cards by either clicking Hold, found directly below the card, or on the card. Once you have selected which cards to hold, click Deal and the remaining cards will be exchanged for new cards.
After this second deal, you are paid out based on the rank of the resulting poker hand.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Hands
Jacks or Better video poker hands are valued based on the following five-card ranking.
| Hand | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
Royal Flush |
The highest hand in Jacks or Better video poker consists of the
following cards: ten, jack, queen, king, and an ace all of the same
suit. |
     |
Straight Flush | Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. |
     |
Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same denomination, one in each suit. |
    |
Full House | Three cards of one denomination and two cards of another denomination. |
    |
Flush | Five cards all of the same suit. |
   |
Straight | Five cards in sequence of any suit. |
    |
Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same denomination and two unmatched cards. |
  |
Two Pairs | Two sets of two cards of the same denomination and any fifth card. |
 |
Pair of Jacks or Better | A pair of jacks or other pairs with a ranking higher than a jack. |
  |
You Win!
A winning hand pays out according to the number of coins wagered and their value.
- If you select the $1 coin and then Bet Max your wager will be 5 coins of $1 so therefore $5. If you get a Straight Flush then according to the payout schedule below you will win 250 coins with the same value as your original bet so therefore $250.
The following payout schedule illustrates the number of coins to be won if you bet 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 coins.
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Flush | 500 |
1000 | 1500 |
2000 | 5000 |
Straight Flush | 50 |
100 | 150 |
200 | 250 |
Four of a Kind | 25 |
50 | 75 |
100 | 125 |
Full House | 6 |
12 | 18 |
24 | 30 |
Flush | 5 |
10 | 15 |
20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 |
8 | 12 |
16 | 20 |
Three of a Kind | 3 |
6 | 9 |
12 | 15 |
Two Pairs | 2 |
4 | 6 |
8 | 10 |
Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 |
2 | 3 |
4 | 5 |