efrainhallowel/efrain2017
1
0
Code Issues Packages Projects Wiki

Add Mastering Video Poker: The Strategy for Jacks or Better

Efrain Hallowell
2026-08-06 04:58:24 -04:00
parent 22060e7905
commit e95469ab0a
1 changed files with 43 additions and 0 deletions
Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files
Mastering-Video-Poker%3A-The-Strategy-for-Jacks-or-Better.md
+43
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
<br>If you walk through a [casino](https://git.coastit.co.za/dongc147646639/dong2012/wiki/Playing-Casino-Games-on-Mobile-Devices) and observe the video poker machines, you will likely see dozens of players mindlessly slapping the "Draw" button as fast as they can.<br>
<br>Video poker is NOT a slot machine. A slot machine is a game of pure, unadulterated luck where you have absolutely zero control over the outcome.<br>
<br>In this article, we are going to break down the absolute perfect mathematical strategy for the most popular and foundational version of the game: Jacks or Better.<br>
Step 1: Finding the "Full Pay" 9/6 Machine
<br>In Jacks or Better, all the payouts for the massive hands (Royal Flush, Four of a Kind) are generally identical across different machines.<br>
<br>This means the machine pays exactly 9 coins for a Full House (per 1 coin bet) and 6 coins for a Flush.<br>
<br>However, casinos are greedy. They will frequently place "Short Pay" machines (like an 8/5 or a 7/5 machine) right next to the good ones.<br>
<br>You must rigorously hunt the casino floor until you find a true 9/6 machine.<br>
Step 2: The Mandatory "Max Bet" Rule
<br>Many casual players, trying to conserve their bankroll, will only bet 1 or 2 coins per hand.<br>
<br>However, the payout for the Royal Flush is severely distorted.<br>
<br>If betting 5 coins on a $1 machine ($5 a hand) is too expensive for your bankroll, do not drop down to betting 1 coin.<br>
<br>You must always activate that massive 4,000-coin bonus, regardless of the denomination you are playing.<br>
Step 3: Executing Basic Strategy (The Hierarchy of Hands)
<br>You must memorize this hierarchy or bring a printed strategy card with you to the casino (which is completely legal).<br>
<br>The amateur will hold the pair of Jacks to guarantee the small win.<br>
<br>The payout for a standard Flush (30 coins) is not large enough to justify throwing away the guaranteed payout and the chance to draw Three of a Kind or Four of a Kind.<br>
<br>In Video Poker, you are not trying to beat a dealer; you are purely trying to make the absolute best poker hand possible, and throwing away useless kickers maximizes your drawing power.<br>
What to Hold (Read from Top to Bottom)
Guaranteed Massive Wins: Take your hands off the buttons and make sure you don't accidentally discard a card.
2. 4 Cards to a Royal Flush: The only hand powerful enough to make you break a guaranteed winner. If you have a High Pair and 4 to a Royal, dump the pair.
3. Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind: Hold all of these guaranteed winning hands. DO NOT break a Flush or Straight to chase a Royal.
Chasing the Mini-Monster: Always draw to the open-ended Straight Flush.
The Workhorse: Two Pair pays 10 coins. It keeps your bankroll afloat while you wait for the massive hands.
The Baseline Winner: This simply returns your original bet (a "Push"). It is the most frequent winning hand in the game.
Color Hunting: A solid, reliable draw that pays 30 coins.
The Foundation: A Low Pair pays nothing, but you hold it because it provides the best foundation to draw into Three of a Kind.
The Open-Ender: You have 8 "outs" to hit the straight. Inside straights only have 4 "outs" and are mathematically terrible draws.
10. Completely Trash Hand: If you have absolutely nothing (no pairs, no 4-card draws, not a single Jack or higher), throw ALL FIVE CARDS in the trash.
The Math of the 9/6 Paytable (For a 5-Coin Bet)
The TargetThe Financial ReturnThe Statistical Reality
The Holy GrailThe reason you must play 5 coins.An incredibly rare event that single-handedly pulls the RTP up to 99.54%.
The Backup JackpotOften saves a losing session.A great result.
Four of a Kind125 CoinsRoughly 1 in 423 hands.
Full House (The "9")45 Coins (9 x 5 coins)Roughly 1 in 86 hands.
The FlushThe second critical metric of the paytable.The math demands 6 to 1.
The PushYou don't win any money, but you don't lose any either.This is the absolute lifeblood of your bankroll. It keeps you in the seat.
<br>You are essentially reducing the casino's massive, imposing fortress to a tiny 0.46% mathematical sliver.<br>
<br>Take your time, check your strategy card, and ensure every single decision you make is backed by Expected Value.<br>