Jacks or Better Strategy

The Jacks or Better strategy section starts below the payback percentage charts. One word of caution though. There are some progressive jackpot Jacks or Better video poker games, usually with the 7/5 pay chart. These can actually become positive expectation games when the jackpot gets large. When this is the case, the optimal strategy may change slightly. So if you are playing a progressive machine with a large pay out, look into the correct strategy.

Royal flush

Straight flush

4 of a kind

Full House

Flush

Straight

With these hands draw one card:

4 cards to a royal flush

4 cards to a straight flush

4 cards to an outside straight (unless you have a low pair, then keep the low pair)

2 pair

4 cards to a flush

With these hands draw two cards:

3 cards to a royal flush

3 cards to a straight flush

3 of a kind

With these hands draw three cards:

Pair of Jacks or Better (Never throw this away unless you have at least 4 to a straight flush)

1 pair

2 high cards

KT, QT or JT suited

With these hands draw four cards:

1 high card