Add The Best Strategies for Video Poker (Jacks or Better)
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<br>If you walk through a casino and observe the video poker machines, you will likely see dozens of players mindlessly slapping the "Draw" button as fast as they can.<br>
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<br>Video poker is a game of intense, calculable skill. Because the machine uses a standard, simulated 52-card deck, the mathematics of the game are completely transparent and solvable.<br>
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<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>
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Reading the Machine: The Secret of the Paytable
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<br>Before you even touch a button or insert a dollar, your absolute first task is to read the payout table printed directly on the glass of the machine.<br>
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<br>This means the machine pays exactly 9 coins for a Full House (per 1 coin bet) and 6 coins for a Flush.<br>
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<br>An 8/5 machine (paying 8 for a Full House and 5 for a Flush) drops the RTP down to 97.3%, massively increasing the casino's profit margin purely because you didn't read the glass.<br>
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<br>You must rigorously hunt the [casino](http://34.17.182.140/ufjtonja84048/tonja2005/wiki/The-Maze-of-the-Casino-Floor) floor until you find a true 9/6 machine.<br>
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Step 2: The Mandatory "Max Bet" Rule
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<br>Once you find a 9/6 machine, you must adhere to the second unbreakable rule of Video Poker: you must ALWAYS play the maximum number of coins allowed (usually 5 coins).<br>
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<br>However, the payout for the Royal Flush is severely distorted.<br>
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<br>If you hit a Royal Flush while only betting 1 coin, you have essentially robbed yourself of thousands of dollars purely because you were trying to save 4 quarters.<br>
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<br>Instead, move to a cheaper machine (like a 25-cent machine) and play 5 coins there ($1.25 a hand).<br>
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Step 3: Executing Basic Strategy (The Hierarchy of Hands)
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<br>The actual strategy of Jacks or Better involves looking at your initial five cards and prioritizing which cards to hold based on a rigid mathematical hierarchy.<br>
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<br>Perfect mathematical strategy dictates you MUST throw away the guaranteed winning Jack to draw for the Royal Flush, because the massive 4,000-coin payout makes the gamble mathematically correct over the long run.<br>
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<br>You must hold the High Pair and throw away the 4-card Flush draw.<br>
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<br>Holding the Ace reduces the number of cards you draw from three to two, drastically reducing your chances of hitting Three of a Kind (which pays 15 coins).<br>
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What to Hold (Read from Top to Bottom)
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Guaranteed Massive Wins: Take your hands off the buttons and make sure you don't accidentally discard a card.
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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.
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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.
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4. 4 Cards to a Straight Flush: Hold these. The payout for a Straight Flush (250 coins) justifies the risk.
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5. Two Pair: Hold both pairs and draw ONE card for a Full House. Never break Two Pair to hold a high card.
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The Baseline Winner: This simply returns your original bet (a "Push"). It is the most frequent winning hand in the game.
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The Standard Flush Draw: You have 9 "outs" in the remaining deck to hit your suit. The math is highly favorable.
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The Foundation: A Low Pair pays nothing, but you hold it because it provides the best foundation to draw into Three of a Kind.
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The Open-Ender: You have 8 "outs" to hit the straight. Inside straights only have 4 "outs" and are mathematically terrible draws.
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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.
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Why the Payouts Matter
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The Poker HandYour Reward (Max Bet)How Often It Happens
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The JackpotPays the rent.Do not expect it, but always draw for it when mathematically correct.
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The Mini-MonsterA massive boost to the bankroll.A rare, incredibly satisfying hit.
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The Session SaverA solid, reliable winner.This is what you are truly hunting when you hold a Low Pair.
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The BoatThis must pay 9 per coin, or the machine is a rip-off.A frequent, highly profitable hand.
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The ColorThis must pay 6 per coin. If it pays 5, walk away.A solid, frequent winner.
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Jacks or Better (High Pair)5 Coins (Your money back)Roughly 1 in 5 hands.
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<br>Video Poker is the thinking person's slot machine. It rewards discipline, mathematical rigor, and an absolute refusal to rely on "luck."<br>
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<br>Do not be intimidated by the speed of the professional players next to you.<br>
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