Tag Archives: Jacks or Better

04.14.25
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Video Poker Strategy: How to Play Perfect Hands

Video poker is a unique blend of slot machines and traditional poker, offering players a mix of luck and strategy. While slot machines are purely based on chance, video poker allows players to make decisions that can affect the outcome of the game. With the right strategy, you can significantly improve your chances of winning and minimize the house edge. In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of video poker and provide a comprehensive strategy for playing perfect hands.

1. Understanding Video Poker Basics

Before diving into strategy, it’s important to understand how video poker works. The game is similar to five-card draw poker, but instead of playing against other players or a dealer, you play against a paytable that dictates the payouts for various hands. The goal is to make the best possible five-card hand.

Here’s how a typical video poker game works:

  • Betting: Players decide on their bet size and number of coins (or credits) they want to wager.

  • Dealing: The machine deals five cards to the player.

  • Decision: Players decide which cards to keep and which to discard. The remaining cards are replaced with new cards.

  • Hand Evaluation: The final hand is evaluated based on the paytable, and the player is paid according to the strength of the hand.

2. Know the Paytable: The Key to Winning

The paytable is a crucial part of video poker. It shows how much you can win based on the hand you have, with higher payouts for better hands. Common hands in video poker include:

  • Pair of Jacks or Better: The minimum payout for most games.

  • Two Pair

  • Three of a Kind

  • Straight

  • Flush

  • Full House

  • Four of a Kind

  • Straight Flush

  • Royal Flush

The exact payouts vary depending on the machine and the type of video poker game you’re playing. The most common variant is Jacks or Better, but you might also encounter games like Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and Double Bonus Poker, each with its own specific paytable.

3. Basic Video Poker Strategy: Playing Perfect Hands

To maximize your chances of winning in video poker, it’s essential to know when to hold or discard cards. Here are the general guidelines for playing perfect hands in Jacks or Better, the most common variant:

1. Always Keep a Pair of Jacks or Better

In Jacks or Better, the lowest payout is for a pair of jacks or higher. Therefore, if you’re dealt a pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces, always keep the pair. Even if you don’t have a high pair, it’s better than drawing to an unmade hand.

2. Keep Any Four Cards to a Straight or Flush

If you’re dealt four cards to a straight or a flush, always keep them. Drawing one card to complete a straight or flush gives you the best possible chance to hit a winning hand.

  • Four Cards to a Straight: If you have four cards in sequence (e.g., 4-5-6-7 of mixed suits), hold them. You have a good chance of drawing the fifth card to complete the straight.

  • Four Cards to a Flush: If you have four cards of the same suit (e.g., 7♠ 10♠ Q♠ 2♠), hold them. A flush has a higher payout than a straight, and you’ll have a higher chance of completing it.

3. Keep a Full House or Better

If you have a full house, four of a kind, straight flush, or royal flush, always keep the entire hand. These hands are already winners and should not be discarded.

4. Keep Three of a Kind

If you’re dealt three of a kind, hold onto the three cards. While drawing two cards might give you a chance at a full house or four of a kind, three of a kind is a solid hand on its own and has a better payout than trying to draw for a higher hand.

5. Avoid Holding Low Pairs or Unconnected Cards

If you have a low pair (like 2-2 or 3-3), it’s often better to discard the pair and draw for a better hand. Holding onto low pairs doesn’t offer much value, especially when the chances of improving to something like two pair or three of a kind are low.

Similarly, discard any unconnected cards (those with no potential to form a hand) and aim for a better draw.

4. Advanced Strategies for Specific Variants

While the above tips apply to Jacks or Better, each video poker variant has its own nuances. Let’s look at some advanced strategies for other popular variants:

  • Deuces Wild: In this version, the 2s (deuces) are wild and can represent any card. The key strategy here is to keep any hand that contains a pair of deuces or a straight or flush, as these are easier to complete in this version of the game. The goal is to aim for the highest-paying hand possible, like five of a kind or a royal flush.

  • Bonus Poker: In Bonus Poker, there are higher payouts for four of a kind hands, particularly with jacks, queens, kings, and aces. The strategy is to focus on holding high pairs and drawing for four of a kind.

  • Double Bonus Poker: Similar to Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker has even higher payouts for four of a kind. The strategy is similar to Bonus Poker, but with more emphasis on trying to hit those four of a kind hands.

5. Bankroll Management: Play Smart

No strategy will guarantee success in video poker, but playing smart and managing your bankroll can increase your chances of coming out ahead. Here are a few tips:

  • Set a Budget: Before you start playing, set a budget for how much you’re willing to risk. Stick to this limit to avoid losing more than you can afford.

  • Play the Max Bet: Many video poker machines offer a bonus payout for hitting a royal flush when you play the maximum number of coins. To maximize your winnings, it’s often best to play the maximum bet allowed.

  • Know When to Quit: If you’re ahead, consider cashing out and walking away. Video poker is a game of volatility, and knowing when to quit can help preserve your winnings.

6. Conclusion: Perfecting Your Video Poker Skills

Video poker combines luck with strategy, and while no strategy can guarantee a win, playing with the right approach can significantly reduce the house edge and maximize your chances of hitting winning hands. By understanding the paytable, following basic strategy for hands like Jacks or Better, and managing your bankroll, you’ll be well on your way to playing perfect video poker hands. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these strategies will help you play smarter and have more fun at the video poker machine.