Video poker: Jacks or Better rules and pay tables
Video poker is a machine version of five-card draw. You are dealt five cards on a screen, choose which cards to hold, and the discarded cards are replaced from the same virtual 52-card deck. The final hand is paid according to the pay table shown on the machine. Unlike most slot machines, the pay table tells you the game's math, because the cards are dealt from a standard deck.
How a hand of Jacks or Better works
- Place a bet, usually one to five credits.
- Five cards are dealt face up.
- Tap Hold on the cards you want to keep.
- Draw: the other cards are replaced.
- The final hand pays if it is a pair of jacks or better, or any higher hand on the pay table.
Why the pay table matters
Jacks or Better machines are often named by what they pay for a full house and a flush on a one-coin bet. A "9/6" game pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush. According to the Wizard of Odds analysis, full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better with a royal flush paying 800 for one on a maximum bet returns about 99.54 percent with optimal strategy, a house edge of about 0.46 percent. The same source shows lower returns for tables that cut those pays. Optimal strategy is demanding; simpler strategies return slightly less.
Two machines that look identical can have different pay tables. If you play in a licensed market, read the pay table before you start. A theoretical return is a long-run average across all players, not a promise for one session.
Play safely, or not at all
This guide is educational. We do not offer games, accept bets, or link to casinos. In the U.S. states that currently license online casinos, you must be at least 21 and physically located in that state. Every casino game on this page has a built-in house advantage or a fee, so treat any money you play with as money you may lose. Set a budget and a time limit before you start. If gambling is causing harm, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) or see our responsible gambling help page.
Frequently asked questions
What does 9/6 mean?
It is shorthand for a Jacks or Better pay table that pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush per credit bet.
Is video poker the same as a slot machine?
No. Video poker deals from a virtual 52-card deck and shows its pay table, so the return can be calculated. Slot machine returns depend on hidden reel settings and are set by the game designer.
Sources
See also: all game guides, where online casinos are legal, and responsible gambling help.