8/6 Jacks or Better strategy

Introduction

The video poker strategy outlined here focuses on the 8/6 Jacks or Better variant.

To apply this strategy, explore all viable options for playing a hand and select the one that ranks the highest. The ideal strategy yields a return of 98.3927%, whereas the 'exceptionless' approach detailed below provides a return of 98.3917%.

1. Full House or better
2. 4 to a Royal Flush
3. 3 of a Kind
4. Flush
5. Straight
6. 2 pair
7. 4 to a Straight Flush
8. 1 pair: Js/Qs/Ks/As
9. 3 to a Royal Flush
10. 4 to a Flush
11. 4 to a Straight: TJQK
12. 1 pair: 2s thru 10s
13. 4 to a Straight: 2345, 3456, 4567, 5678, 6789, 789T, 89TJ, 9TJQ
14. Three cards toward a Straight Flush include: 345, 456, 567, 678, 789, 89T, 89J/8TJ, 8JQ, 9TJ, 9TQ/9JQ, 9JK/9QK.
15. 4 to a Straight: JQKA
16. 2 to a Royal Flush: JQ, JK/QK, JA/QA/KA
17. 4 to a Straight: 9JQK, TJQA/TJKA/TQKA
18. Three cards for a Straight Flush: Ace-low, 234/235/245, 346/356, 457/467, 568/578, 679/689, 78T/79T, 78J/79J/7TJ, 89Q/8TQ, 9TK.
19. 3 to a Straight: JQK
20. 2 to a Straight: JQ, QK
21. 2 to a Royal Flush: TJ, TQ
22. 2 to a Straight: JK, QA
23. 2 to a Straight: JA, KA
24. 2 to a Royal Flush: TK
25. 1 high card: J/Q/K/A
26. 3 to a Straight Flush: 236/246/256, 347/357/367, 458/468/478, 569/579/589, 67T/68T/69T
27. Discard everything

Card Key

A 'high card' refers to a Jack, Queen, King, or Ace in the game.

Written by: Michael Shackleford