Begin your journey to mastering Jacks or Better 9/6: A Simple Strategy Guide
If you’re new to video poker, Jacks or Better is an excellent choice, particularly the 9/6 version that offers a payout of 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush (per coin bet). With the right strategy, this game offers a 99.56% return, making it one of the best bets in the casino. While 9/6 paytable is getting harder to find, the basics will remain the same for others, and making minor shifts to those will be easier.
Let’s break down the basics so you can play smarter and boost your chances of winning.
First, understand the goal: you’re aiming to build at least a pair of jacks or better. The game deals you five cards, and you get one chance to discard and replace any (or all) of them. Your choices here are everything—so let’s keep it simple with a basic strategy.
Always hold a winning hand if you’re dealt one. Got a pair of jacks? Keep it. A flush or straight? Don’t break it. If you’ve got a royal flush, full house, or four of a kind, you’re already golden—hold tight and collect your payout.
When you don’t have a winner yet, prioritize high-value possibilities. Hold four cards to a royal flush (like 10-J-Q-K of hearts) over anything else—it’s rare but pays huge (up to 4,000 coins for a max bet). Next, keep four cards to a straight flush (like 7-8-9-10 of spades) or three cards to a royal flush (like J-Q-K of clubs). These hands have big potential.
If those aren’t in play, hold onto a low pair (like two 5s) over a single high card (jack, queen, king, or ace). Why? A low pair often turns into three of a kind or better, while a lone high card is riskier. Still, if you’ve got nothing but high cards, keep one or two (same suit if possible) and ditch the rest.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for tough spots:
• Four to a flush (like 2-5-9-Q of diamonds) beats four to an outside straight (like 7-8-9-10).
• Three to a straight flush (like 8-9-10 of hearts) trumps four to an inside straight (like 6-8-9-10).
• If all else fails, draw five new cards—don’t cling to junk.
The 9/6 paytable matters because it boosts your return compared to stingier versions (like 8/5). But it is getting harder to find as the casinos know what’s going on with advantage players. But learning it will make the little shifts to playing other paytables easier. For all paytables remember the basics: Stick to max bets—five coins—since the royal flush payout jumps massively, making it worth the risk over time.
This basic strategy isn’t perfect, but it’s a solid start. Want to play at that 99.56% level? Grab the detailed chart linked below—it’s your ticket to precision. Practice, stay disciplined, and you’ll be racking up wins like a pro.
