Video Poker Strategy
Jacks or Better optimal play, pay tables, and expected return
Pay Tables
Jacks or Better — Pay Table Comparison
The full house and flush payouts determine the game's return. Always look for 9/6 machines.
9/6 (Full Pay)
99.54%
Expected return
8/5
97.30%
Expected return
7/5
96.15%
Expected return
Reference
9/6 Jacks or Better Pay Table
| Hand | 1 Coin | Max (5) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 4,000 | 1 in 40,390 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 250 | 1 in 9,148 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 125 | 1 in 423 |
| Full House | 9 | 45 | 1 in 87 |
| Flush | 6 | 30 | 1 in 91 |
| Straight | 4 | 20 | 1 in 89 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 15 | 1 in 13 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 10 | 1 in 8 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 5 | 1 in 5 |
Strategy
Simplified Jacks or Better Strategy
Hold the highest-ranked combination in your hand. Check from top to bottom — the first match is your play.
- Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind — hold all
- 4 to a royal flush — hold 4, draw 1
- Full house, flush, straight — hold all
- Three of a kind — hold 3, draw 2
- 4 to a straight flush — hold 4, draw 1
- Two pair — hold both pairs, draw 1
- High pair (J, Q, K, A) — hold pair, draw 3
- 3 to a royal flush — hold 3, draw 2
- 4 to a flush — hold 4, draw 1
- Low pair (2–10) — hold pair, draw 3
- 4 to an outside straight — hold 4, draw 1
- 2 suited high cards — hold 2, draw 3
- 3 to a straight flush — hold 3, draw 2
- 2 unsuited high cards (pick lowest 2) — hold 2, draw 3
- 1 high card — hold 1, draw 4
- Nothing — draw all 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video poker pay table?
For Jacks or Better, the 9/6 table (9 for full house, 6 for flush) returns 99.54% with perfect strategy — one of the best odds in any casino. Some Deuces Wild variants return over 100%, giving the player an edge at the base pay table.
Should I always bet max coins?
Yes. The royal flush pays 250 per coin for 1–4 coins but jumps to 800 per coin (4,000 total) at max bet. This disproportionate bonus significantly increases your expected return. Never play less than max coins on a machine you've chosen.
How important is perfect strategy?
The difference between perfect and intuitive play is typically 2–4% in expected return. On a 9/6 JoB machine at $1.25/hand playing 400 hands/hour, that's $10–20 per hour in extra losses. Strategy is the difference between a near-break-even game and a bad one.
Can video poker be beaten?
Some variants can be positive EV. Full-pay Deuces Wild (100.76%), some progressive jackpot situations, and casino promotions (like cashback or loss rebates) can push the math in the player's favor. These opportunities are rare but they exist.
Video Poker Strategy & Pay Table Analysis
This free video poker strategy guide covers Jacks or Better, the most common video poker variant. It includes the simplified strategy chart, pay table comparisons, and expected return calculations.
Why Pay Tables Matter
The difference between a 9/6 and 8/5 Jacks or Better machine is 2.24% in expected return. Over 400 hands at $1.25/hand, that's an extra $11.20 per hour in expected losses. Always check the full house and flush payouts before sitting down.