If you are seeking to play
with mathematically perfect strategy at the Jacks or Better video poker machine,
it's advised you obtain strategy cards. You can order them online (Bob Dancer's
website is an excellent resource), or, you're likely to find them as an
accompaniment to a video poker strategy book at your local bookstore.
The way strategy cards work is that they list every potential hand scenario
you can receive. Ranked in order of a hand's potential becoming, each hand
scenario on the chart corresponds to a proper action for ensuring perfect
mathematical strategy. This essentially amounts to telling you what cards to
hold. It's a classic "calculator" tool that can unfortunately enable the
memorization/regurgitation syndrome, which is exactly why we recommend every
player to take the time to understand why the chart says what it says for every
hand scenario.
It's also advised that you adequately familiarize yourself with the Jack's or
Better paytable if you are completely new to playing the game. Learn the poker
lingo and memorize the hands and order of ranking like they were your family
members. As you put your mathematically perfect strategy to practice, it's a
good idea to try and step out from the nest by practicing the essentials of
Jacks or Better strategy. These are a handful of do's and don'ts (mainly
don'ts), and are much easier on the memory cells. Good enough to get by with
real money, these strategy tips will keep your head above water.
- Never keep a Kicker.
- If holding a Pair, draw all three remaining cards for the prospect of
hitting a three or four-of-a-kind.
- Hold all cards of a 2-Pair, rather than discarding one pair in hopes of
hitting a four-of-a-kind.
- Never keep three cards to a Straight or a Flush, but DO keep three cards
to a Straight Flush if the two discards have potential to make a Royal Flush.
- Never draw to an inside Straight.
- Don't sacrifice a potential Full House for a Four-of-a-Kind.
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