Jacks or Better Poker - For Beginners - By Justin Cathey
Getting Started
This is a game of draw poker. The dealer will deal you five cards, face up.
At this point you make a decision as to hold or discard each of your five cards.
Then the dealer will deal new cards to replace the ones that have been
discarded, so you will still have five cards. In most Jacks or Better games your
opponent is non-existent but in some casinos there are tables where players play
each other. Your main objective is to have a pair of Jacks or better to win
money, hence the name Jacks or Better. Pay-out rates are dependent upon your
hand and will vary from casino to casino. Basically, a pair of Jacks or better
pay even money and any hand above that pays odds, but they vary considerably.
Basics of Poker and Poker Hands
Most poker games in online casinos and real casinos are played with a
standard 52-card deck. The cards are ranked according to their numerical value
and their suit. The ranking, from highest to lowest, goes as such: Ace (A), King
(K), Queen (Q), Jack (J), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. The ace can also be used
to complete a low straight; A, 2, 3, 4, 5. As well as numbers and faces there
are 4 different types of suits which are used to determine the value of a poker
hand. These are: Spades (S), Clubs (C), Diamonds (D), Hearts (H).
Poker hands are valued based on their five card ranking.
These rankings are detailed below:
(A rank of 1 equals the best)
| Rank |
Hand Name |
Description |
Example |
| 1 |
Royal Flush |
A, K, Q, J, 10 of same suit |
10S, JS, QS, KS, AS |
| 2 |
Straight Flush |
Five cards of same suit in sequence |
4D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 8D |
| 3 |
4 of a kind |
Four cards of the same rank |
7S, 7C, 7D, 7H |
| 4 |
Full House |
Three of a kind plus a pair |
3D, 3S, 3C, KS, KH |
| 5 |
Flush |
Five cards of the same suit |
3H, 7H, 10H, QH, AH |
| 6 |
Straight |
Five cards in sequence |
5C, 6D, 7C, 8H, 9S |
| 7 |
3 of a kind |
Three cards of the same rank |
10H, 10S, 10D |
| 8 |
2 Pairs |
Two pairs of different rank |
5H, 5S, 9C, 9S |
| 9 |
Pair |
Two cards of the same rank |
JS, JD |
Tie Hands – Note: These rules only apply if you have an
opponent
If two hands are tied in rank, the following rules apply:
1. If two players both have straight flushes, flushes, or straights, the
highest card in either hand determines the winner. If the highest card still
results in a tie then the next highest card will determine the winner. And so
on...
2. If both players have a full house, then the highest 3 of a kind will
determine the winner.
3. If both players have three of a kind the highest ranking three of a kind
will be determined the winner.
4. The highest-ranking pair in the hand will decide two hands with two pair.
If this still results in a tie then the remaining pairs will be compared and the
highest-ranking pair will then decide the winner.
5. If both players have a single pair then the highest-ranking pair will win.
If this is also a tie then next highest-ranking single card will determine the
winner. If this still results in a tie then the next highest single ranking card
will determine the winner. And so on...
Tips and Strategies of the Game
The main objective here is to win money. And to do that you have to get a
pair of Jacks or better. With that being said, here are some tips to help you:
- Never try to hit an inside straight in Jacks or better, the odds are way
against you. Ex. You have a 9, 10, Q, K, and a 3. You only need a J to
complete the straight, but the chances of it happening are slim to none.
Keep the Q and the K and take your chances.
- Almost always keep Aces in your hand. Many players keep an Ace as a kicker
card to go along with a low pair. Ex. You receive a 3,3,A,9, and an 8. Keep
the A and the 3's and discard the other two. This raises your chances of
receiving two pairs.
- It is a good idea to keep 4 cards of the same suit if you are dealt 4 of
the same and 1 different. You have a 1 in 4 chance in getting the suit you
need to complete the flush. If you only have 3 of the same suits however,
your chances of getting a flush dramatically decrease. At this point play
for a high pair.
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