8/6 Jacks or Better: Strategic Approach for 10-Hand Play

Introduction

This section outlines my approach to playing the 10-hand variant of 8/6 Ultimate X Jacks or Better When played perfectly—which involves knowing the optimal move for various hands depending on the average multiplier—the anticipated payout for this game is 99.42%. Alternatively, sticking to a straightforward single strategy at all times results in a 99.38% return, meaning you're sacrificing a mere 0.04% in potential long-term returns for ease of play.

It's important to understand that this strategy may not be suitable for all players. single-line Ultimate X game .

Following the strategy, you will find several exceptions that can enhance your return slightly beyond the base 99.38%.

Basic Strategy

• Full house or better
• 4 to a royal flush
• Flush
• Straight
• 3 of a kind
• 2 pair
• 4 to a straight flush
• 4 to a flush with 3 high cards
• 1 pair, jacks or better
• 4 to a flush with 0, 1, or 2 high cards
• 3 to a royal flush
• 4 to a straight — 89TJ; 9TJQ; TJQK
• 1 pair, tens or lower
• 4 to a straight — 2345; 3456; 4567; 5678; 6789; 789T
• Three cards towards a straight flush—combinations such as 345, 456, 567, 678, 789, 89T, 89J/8TJ, 8JQ, 9TJ, 9TQ, 9JQ, 9JK/9QK.
• 4 to a straight — JQKA
• 3 to a flush — 2JA to 9KA
• 4 to a straight — TJKA/TQKA
• 2 to a royal flush — JQ; JK/QK
• 4 to a straight — 9JQK; TJQA
• 2 to a royal flush — JA/QA/KA
• Three cards towards a straight flush—Ace-low variants like 234/235/245, 346/356, 457/467, 568/578, 679/689, along with 78T/79T, 78J/79J/7TJ, and 89Q/8TQ and 9TK.
• 4 to a straight — 89JQ/8TJQ; 9TJK/9TQK
• 3 to a straight — TJQ; JQK
• 2 to a straight — JQ
• 3 to a flush — 23J to 6TJ; 23Q to 7TQ; 28K to 8TK; 29A to 9TA
• 2 to a royal flush — TJ
• 3 to a flush — 23K to 67K; 26A to 68A
• 2 to a straight — JK/QK
• 2 to a straight — JA
• 2 to a royal flush — TQ
• a Jack
• 3 to a straight flush — 236/246/256; 347/357/367; 458/468/478; 569/579/589; 67T/68T/69T
• 2 to a straight — QA/KA
• 2 to a royal flush — TK
• a Queen, King, or Ace
• 3 to a flush — 237 to 59T
• 4 to a straight — 2346/2356/2456; 3457/3467/3567; 4568/4578/4678; 5679/5689/5789; 678T/679T/689T
• Discard everything

Exceptions

The exceptions provided can help fine-tune the initial strategy, bringing it closer to the ideal approach, although this list is not exhaustive.

Written by: Michael Shackleford