Winning Strategy for Jacks or Better Video Poker.

Jacks or Better is the most popular form of video poker available to gamblers today. The concept is simple enough, but being a winner takes a smart strategy and the optimization of your opportunities. By the time you are done with this article, you will have a solid foundation for winning at Jacks or Better video poker.

The most important thing is that, when possible, play the maximum of five credits on every hand. The reason for this is obviously to maximize your payout. Sure, you can play one credit per hand, but if you should happen to hit a royal flush (which is the ultimate payout) in that situation, you will receive 250 credits. Make no mistake, a 250 credit win is nice. However, hitting that same royal flush when playing five credits per hand, however, will result in a win of 4,000 credits. If your bankroll can handle it, play the maximum number of credits on each hand.

Outside of that, here are the ten guidelines that you need when you are playing Jacks or Better video poker.

1) Whenever you hold four cards to a royal flush, discard the fifth card, even if that card gives you a flush or a pair. Again, your ultimate goal is to hit a royal flush.

2) Keep a jacks or better pair and any higher hand such as a three of a kind or straight over three to a royal flush. Play the three to a royal over any lesser hand such as a low pair or four-flush.

3) With two cards to a royal, keep four-straights, four-flushes, and high pairs or better instead. If you do not have any of those hands, go for the royal flush.

4) Never break up a straight or a flush, unless a one-card draw gives you a chance for the royal flush.

5) Keep Jacks or better over a four-straight or a four-flush.

6) Never break up a four of a kind, full house, three of a kind, or two pair hands. In the case of the three of a kind or two pair hand, discard the worthless cards on the draw.

7) The Jacks or better pair is always kept, except when you have four cards to the royal, or four to the straight flush.

8) Keep low pairs over the four-straight, but discard them in favor of the four-flushes and three or four to a royal flush.

9) When dealt unmade hands, which is a pre-draw hand with no combination of cards that will pay off, save the following (in order):

* Four to a royal flush or straight flush
* Three to a royal flush
* Four-flushes
* Four-straights
* Three to a straight flush
* Two cards to a royal
* Two cards Jack or higher
* One card Jack or higher

10) If you do not have any of the hands listed above, and no cards Jack or higher, discard your entire hand and take your chances with five new cards.

There you have it, folks! If you follow these relatively simply guidelines, you will greatly increase your chances of being a profitable Jacks or Better player. Now, go out and hit that royal flush!