Below is the suggested basic strategy for Jacks or Better video poker with a 8/5 pay table.
The theoretical payback percentage for Jacks or Better video poker with a 8/5 pay table is 97.30% and is based on the following pay table:
8/5 Jacks or Better Video Poker Basic Strategy
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- 4 of a kind
- 4 card Royal Flush
- Full House
- Flush
- 3 of a kind
- Straight
- 4 card Straight Flush
- Two Pairs
- 4 card inside Straight Flush
- High Pair (Jacks or higher)
- 3 card Royal Flush
- 4 card Flush
- 4 card straight with 3 high cards
- Low Pair (2’s through 10’s)
- 4 card Straight with 2 high cards
- 4 card Straight with 1 high card
- 3 card Inside Straight Flush with 2 high cards
- 3 card Straight Flush with 1 high card
- 4 card Straight with no high cards
- 3 card Double Inside Straight Flush with 2 high cards
- 3 card Inside Straight Flush with 1 high card
- 3 card Straight Flush with no high cards
- 4 card Inside Straight with 4 high cards
- 2 card Royal Flush with no Ace or 10
- 2 card Royal Flush with Ace and no 10
- 3 high cards with no Ace
- 4 card Inside Straight with 3 high cards
- 3 card Double Inside Straight Flush with 1 high card
- 3 card Inside Straight Flush with no high card
- 2 card Royal Flush (10/J, 10/Q)
- 2 High Cards (JA/QA/KA)
- 1 high card
- 3 card Double Inside Straight Flush with no high card
- All New Cards
To use this chart just look up your hand and play it in the manner that is closest to the top of the chart. For example: you are dealt (6♣,6♦,7♥,8♠,9♣). You keep (6♣,6♦) rather than (6♦,7♥,8♠,9♣) because a low pair (#16) is higher on the chart than a four-card straight with no high cards (#21). Remember to always look for the highest possible choice on the chart when there are multiple ways to play your hand. As another example: you are dealt (8♣,8♦, J♥,Q♥,Κ♥). You keep (J♥,Q♥,Κ♥) rather than (8♣,8♦) because a three-card royal flush (#13) is higher on the chart than a low pair (#16). As a final, but radical, example of how to play your hand by the chart what would you do if you’re dealt (6♥,10♥,J♥,Q♥,Κ♥)? Yes, you have to break up your flush by discarding the 6♥ and go for the royal flush because the four-card royal flush (#4) is higher on the chart than the pat flush (#6).