Jacks or Better Video Poker Pay Tables

Jacks or Better

Why is the basic video poker game known as "Jacks or Better"? It is called that because every time two jacks or higher (queens, aces or kings) appear in your final hand, you win. Originally video poker - which is derived from draw poker - paid only two pair or better hands. That was pretty boring and frustrating for most players because it took to long to hit something. When the rules were changed so that jacks or better would pay, the game really took off in popularity.

To play this game, you only need to know two things: First, what poker hands are and how they pay according to the pay table; second, that your bet is returned to you if you get a pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces. That is right; you are not "paid" in the true sense of the word; your bet is simply returned to you like in a push in blackjack.

Jacks or Better Pay Tables

No Jacks or Better variation has a positive expected return, yet it the best version - the one with a 9/6 pay table - is nonetheless a favorite of players, even professionals. The payback percentages here all assume perfect strategy.

9/6 Jacks or Better Pay Table (Payback Percentage: 99.5%)

Hand 1 Coin 5-Coin Bet (Max) Royal Flush 250 4000 Straight Flush 50 250 Four of a Kind 25 125 Full House 9 45 Flush 6 30 Straight 4 20 Three of a Kind 3 15 Two Pairs 2 10 Pair of Jacks at least 1 5

8/5 Jacks or Better Pay Table (Payback Percentage: 97.29%)

Hand 1 Coin 5-Coin Bet (Max) Royal Flush 250 4000 Straight Flush 50 250 Four of a Kind 25 125 Full House 8 40 Flush 5 25 Straight 4 20 Three of a Kind 3 15 Two Pairs 2 10 Pair of Jacks at least 1 5

7/5 Jacks or Better Pay Table (Payback Percentage: 96.10%)

Hand 1 Coin 5-Coin Bet (Max) Royal Flush 250 4000 Straight Flush 50 250 Four of a Kind 25 125 Full House 7 35 Flush 5 25 Straight 4 20 Three of a Kind 3 15 Two Pairs 2 10 Pair of Jacks at least 1 5

6/5 Jacks or Better Pay Table (Payback Percentage: 94.90%)

Hand 1 Coin 5-Coin Bet (Max) Royal Flush 250 4000 Straight Flush 50 250 Four of a Kind 25 125 Full House 6 30 Flush 5 25 Straight 4 20 Three of a Kind 3 15 Two Pairs 2 10 Pair of Jacks at least 1 5

As you can see, only the payoffs for the flush and full house change in these tables. With all kinds of video poker games and pay tables available, there is no reason for you to every play the 7/5 and 6/5 tables. Your best bet is 9/6 Jacks or Better. And don't forget to play it with perfect strategy!