Video Poker Jacks or Better Calculator: Strategy & Payouts (2026)
Video Poker Jacks or Better Calculator: Master the Classic
Jacks or Better is the foundation of video poker—simple rules, strategic depth, and some of the best odds in any casino. Our free calculator analyzes pay tables and shows optimal strategy for maximizing returns.
What Is Jacks or Better?
Jacks or Better is video poker's most popular variant. You're dealt five cards, choose which to keep, and draw replacements. Hands paying start at a pair of jacks or higher.
Quick Answer: Full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better returns 99.54% with perfect strategy—better than almost any table game. The "9/6" refers to 9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush. Finding full-pay machines and playing perfect strategy is the key.
How to Use Our Free JoB Calculator
Use the Jacks or Better Calculator →
Enter the pay table to see expected return and optimal strategy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Enter Pay Table: Input payouts for each hand
-
View Expected Return: See theoretical RTP
-
Analyze Strategy: Get optimal hold decisions
-
Compare Machines: Find the best pay tables
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full House Payout | Per coin | 9 |
| Flush Payout | Per coin | 6 |
| Expected Return | Theoretical RTP | 99.54% |
| House Edge | Casino advantage | 0.46% |
Understanding Pay Tables
Full-Pay 9/6 Jacks or Better
| Hand | Payout (per coin) |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 (or 4,000 with max coins) |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 |
| Full House | 9 |
| Flush | 6 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Expected Return: 99.54%
Common Reduced Pay Tables
| Pay Table | Full House | Flush | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 (Full Pay) | 9 | 6 | 99.54% |
| 9/5 | 9 | 5 | 98.45% |
| 8/6 | 8 | 6 | 98.39% |
| 8/5 | 8 | 5 | 97.30% |
| 7/5 | 7 | 5 | 96.15% |
| 6/5 | 6 | 5 | 95.00% |
Each step down costs ~1% return.
Jacks or Better Strategy
Basic Strategy Hierarchy
Hold cards in this priority order:
- Pat hands: Royal flush through two pair (don't break!)
- Four to a royal: Even break a flush or straight
- Three of a kind
- Four to a straight flush
- Two pair
- High pair (J-A)
- Three to a royal
- Four to a flush
- Low pair (2-10)
- Four to an outside straight
- Two suited high cards
- Three to a straight flush
- Two unsuited high cards (lowest two)
- Suited 10/J, 10/Q, or 10/K
- One high card
- Discard everything
Common Strategy Decisions
Situation: Dealt K♠ K♥ 5♦ 6♦ 7♦
Options:
- Keep pair of kings: EV = 1.54
- Keep 5-6-7 diamonds: EV = 1.28
Correct: Keep the pair of kings. Three to a flush doesn't beat a high pair.
Situation: Dealt A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 9♥
Options:
- Keep four to royal: EV = 18.66
- Keep high pair: N/A (no pair)
- Keep AKQ: EV = 2.59
Correct: Go for the royal. Four to a royal is almost always correct.
Real-World JoB Examples
Example 1: Full House vs. Four to Royal
Hand: A♠ A♥ A♦ K♠ Q♠
Analysis:
- Full house pays 9
- Four to royal (break the full house)
EV Calculation:
- Keep full house: 9.00
- Break for royal draw: ~9.44
Correct: Surprisingly, break the full house for four to a royal!
Example 2: Low Pair vs. Four to Flush
Hand: 3♥ 3♠ 7♦ 9♦ K♦
Analysis:
- Keep pair of 3s: EV = 0.82
- Keep three to flush: EV = 0.51
Correct: Keep the low pair. Pairs beat most drawing hands.
Example 3: Suited High Cards
Hand: A♥ J♥ 4♠ 7♦ 9♣
Analysis:
- Keep AJ suited: EV = 0.60
- Keep A only: EV = 0.47
- Keep J only: EV = 0.44
Correct: Keep both suited high cards.
Finding Full-Pay Machines
Where to Look
Las Vegas locals casinos:
- Station Casinos properties
- Boyd Gaming properties
- Some off-strip locations
Online casinos:
- Often better pay tables than live
- Check before depositing
Factors:
- Downtown Vegas often better than Strip
- Higher denomination often has better pay tables
- Check the pay table BEFORE playing
Verifying Pay Tables
Always check:
- Full house payout (should be 9)
- Flush payout (should be 6)
- Royal flush bonus for max coins
If it's not 9/6 with 4,000 coin royal, you're playing a reduced game.
Bankroll for Jacks or Better
Recommended Bankroll
| Denomination | Session Bankroll | Per-Hand |
|---|---|---|
| $0.25 | $200-300 | $1.25 |
| $0.50 | $400-600 | $2.50 |
| $1.00 | $800-1,200 | $5.00 |
| $5.00 | $4,000-6,000 | $25.00 |
Variance Considerations
Jacks or Better is moderate variance:
- Royal flush: ~1 in 40,000 hands
- Four of a kind: ~1 in 423 hands
- Full house: ~1 in 87 hands
Without royals, you'll run slightly negative. Royals provide periodic big wins.
Common Jacks or Better Mistakes
1. Keeping Kickers
Mistake: Keeping A-K with pair of 7s Reality: Kickers don't matter. Keep only the pair.
2. Breaking Two Pair
Mistake: Breaking two pair to go for flush Reality: Two pair is a made hand. Keep it.
3. Not Playing Max Coins
Mistake: Playing 1-4 coins Reality: Royal flush bonus requires 5 coins. Always play max.
4. Ignoring Pay Tables
Mistake: Assuming all machines are equal Reality: 9/6 vs. 8/5 is 2.24% difference—massive over time.
5. Holding "Almost" Straights
Mistake: Keeping 4-5-6-8 (inside straight) Reality: Inside straights rarely worth pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best Jacks or Better strategy?
Find 9/6 machines, play max coins, and follow optimal strategy charts. Expected return is 99.54%.
Is Jacks or Better better than blackjack?
With perfect play, Jacks or Better (99.54%) is similar to basic strategy blackjack (~99.5%). Both are excellent choices.
Should I always play max coins?
Yes. The royal flush bonus (4,000 vs. 1,000) only applies at max coins. Playing less reduces return by ~1.5%.
How often do royals hit?
Approximately 1 in 40,000 hands. At 600 hands/hour, that's about 67 hours of play per royal on average.
Can I beat Jacks or Better?
At 99.54%, you lose 0.46% long-term. With slot club points (0.5%+), you can break even or profit slightly.
Is online video poker fair?
Reputable licensed casinos use certified RNGs. Check licensing and pay tables before playing.
Advanced JoB Concepts
Expected Value by Hand
| Hand Type | Contribution to Return |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1.98% |
| Straight Flush | 0.55% |
| Four of a Kind | 5.91% |
| Full House | 10.36% |
| Flush | 6.61% |
| Straight | 4.49% |
| Three of a Kind | 22.33% |
| Two Pair | 25.86% |
| Jacks or Better | 21.46% |
Most return comes from common hands, not royals.
Penalty Card Situations
Sometimes a held card blocks potential draws:
Hand: A♥ J♥ 10♥ 3♥ 9♠
The 3♥ is a "penalty card"—it blocks a potential heart for the royal but doesn't help the A-J-10 combination.
Optimal: Keep A-J-10 suited, discard both others.
Pro Tips for Jacks or Better
-
Find 9/6 machines: Nothing else matters if pay table is bad
-
Memorize key decisions: High pair vs. four flush, low pair vs. flush draw
-
Play max coins always: Royal bonus is essential
-
Join slot clubs: Free play and points reduce house edge
-
Practice free online: Perfect strategy before risking money
Related Video Poker Calculators
- Video Poker Pay Table Calculator - Compare all games
- Deuces Wild Calculator - Wild card strategy
- Bonus Poker Calculator - Bonus variants
- Double Bonus Calculator - Higher variance option
- Video Poker Bankroll Calculator - Session planning
Conclusion
Jacks or Better offers some of the best odds in the casino—but only with the right pay table and perfect strategy. Our calculator analyzes any machine, showing expected return and optimal decisions. Find 9/6 machines, play max coins, and master the strategy for a near-even game.
Calculate Your Jacks or Better Returns Now →
At 99.54% return, full-pay Jacks or Better is one of gambling's best bets. Use the calculator to verify pay tables and learn perfect strategy—your bankroll will thank you.
