The gambling industry is truly a vast space offering many different types of games suitable for every preference. For example, we have a widely popular version of traditional Poker, called Video Poker.

This is a revolutionary game variant that features some of the basic rules of Poker but adds a new spin where players instead of playing against other players play against the machine. It is like combining traditional Poker and Slots.

However, Video Poker also has different game variations featuring somewhat different rules. One of the most popular is Jacks or Better.

Most people would argue that video poker is a game based on luck and that it does not require any skill or strategy. However, whether you are playing traditional or crypto poker online there is a way to increase your chances.

Even though you play against software based on a random number generator (RNG), having a strategy can definitely help you increase your winning chances.

Jack Or Better Video Poker

Casinos all over the world offer Jacks or Better as a variation of video poker. Players are dealt five cards and have the option of holding or discarding any of them in order to create a winning hand. In order to win a payout, players must have a pair of jacks or higher.

In order to improve your odds of winning at Jacks or Better video poker, you can use a few strategies.

Jack Or Better Strategies

Here are some strategies that can help you make better in-game decisions and therefore walk away with more money in your pocket.

Always Hold a Royal Flush or Straight Flush

If you’re dealt a royal flush or straight flush, you should always hold these cards and discard the rest. These are the highest-paying hands in the game, and it’s worth it to try to get them.

Always Hold a Four-Card Royal Flush

As a rule of thumb, if you get four cards that can potentially form a royal flush, you should hold onto those cards and discard the fifth. This is because the chance of completing a royal flush with four cards is much higher than that with three.

Always Hold a Four-Card Straight Flush

Like a four-card royal flush, a four-card straight flush is worth holding onto because it has a good chance of being completed on the draw.

Always Play the Maximum Number of Coins

Playing the maximum number of coins is one of the most important strategies in Jacks or Better video poker.

As a result, the payouts for hands increase when you play the maximum number of coins. For instance, a royal flush pays out 250 coins if you play one coin, but 4,000 coins if you play five coins.

Always Hold a Pair

If you’re dealt a pair, it’s usually worth holding onto these cards and discarding the rest. This is because a pair is a winning hand in Jacks or Better, and it’s likely to pay out more than the value of the coins you’ve bet.

Always hold a High Pair

If you’re dealt a pair of jacks or higher, it’s usually worth holding onto these cards and discarding the rest. These high pairs have a higher payout than lower pairs, and they’re also more likely to be improved upon on the draw.

Always Hold Four to a Royal Flush

If you’re dealt four cards that could potentially form a royal flush, it’s usually worth holding onto these cards and discarding the fifth.

This is because the probability of completing a royal flush with four cards is much higher than the probability of completing it with three cards.

Final Words

All of these strategies are designed for you to increase your winning chances by making the right decisions. Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll walk away profitably from a video poker session.

After all, there is no denying that a large part of the game is based on luck, and no strategy can help you overcome that.