Jacks or Better Strategy Guide

Four of a Kind: Always hold all 5 cards. Guaranteed payout with no better options.

Full House: Hold all 5 cards. Never break up a full house.

Three of a Kind: Hold all 5 cards. Keep the three matching cards.

Two Pair: Hold all 5 cards. Never break up two pair.

Royal Flush: Hold all 5 cards. Maximum payout achievement.

Straight Flush: Hold all 5 cards. High-value winning hand.

Four to a Royal Flush: Hold the 4 cards and draw 1. This is your second-best play after made hands.

Four to a Straight Flush: Hold the 4 suited sequential cards. High expected value.

Three to a Royal Flush: Hold the 3 high cards of the same suit.

High Pairs (Jacks, Queens, Kings, Aces): Always hold. These pay 5 credits and have positive expected value.

Low Pairs (Tens and below): Only hold when you don't have 4 to a flush, 4 to a straight, or better drawing opportunities.

Four to a Flush: Hold the 4 suited cards. Flushes pay 30 credits.

Four to a Straight: Hold 4 sequential cards with one gap, or inside/outside straight draws.

Three to a Straight Flush: Hold when you have 3 suited sequential cards.

Two Suited High Cards: Hold when you have two high cards of the same suit (preferably 10, J, Q, K, A).

Two Unsuited High Cards: Hold when you have Jack or higher unsuited.

Single Jack or Better: Hold one high card only if you have no pair, flush draw, or straight opportunities.

Expected value (EV) represents your average return per hand over the long term. A positive EV means you're gaining credits; negative EV means you're losing. The goal is to always select the hold strategy with the highest EV.

Our Jacks or Better calculator shows the expected value for different hold strategies, helping you make mathematically optimal decisions.

Always Bet Maximum Coins: With a 5-coin bet, the Royal Flush pays 4000 instead of 800. This significantly improves your long-term expected return.

Bankroll Management: Play with a bankroll that allows you to weather variance. Even with optimal play, you'll experience losing streaks.