Online Jacks or Better is the classic draw-poker video game: you're dealt five cards, hold the ones you want, draw once and get paid for a pair of jacks or better up to a royal flush. RealTime Gaming's version is reported at a 99.54% RTP, which matches the full-pay 9/6 pay table, so it's one of the cheapest casino games to play well.
RTG's Jacks or Better was released in 2018 and is reported at 99.54% RTP (third-party), the figure computed for the full-pay 9/6 pay table.
The full house and flush pays decide the return: 9/6 is about 99.54%, while 8/5 drops to about 97.30% (computed for standard rules).
On the deal alone, a royal flush comes once in 649,740 hands; good holds make it far more frequent.
Many bonuses exclude video poker or weight it at 60x, so read the eligible-games list.
Partner casinos are offshore and not licensed by any US state; check your state's law first.
Developer
RealTime Gaming (RTG)
RTP
99.54% (GamesHub, third-party)
Released
February 15, 2018 (SlotCatalog)
Max win
800x (SlotCatalog) or 4,000x (GamesHub): sources differ
Main feature
Double-or-nothing gamble
Volatility
Not published
What is online Jacks or Better?
Jacks or Better is single-hand draw poker against a pay table, not against other players or a dealer. You bet, receive five cards, choose which to hold, and the machine replaces the rest once. A pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces is the lowest paying hand, which is where the name comes from.
RealTime Gaming's version was released on February 15, 2018, according to SlotCatalog. GamesHub lists its RTP at 99.54% (opens in a new tab), a third-party figure. The two sources disagree on the top prize: SlotCatalog shows 800x and GamesHub 4,000x. The likely reason is units. On a standard pay table a royal flush pays 4,000 coins on a five-coin bet, which is 800 times the total bet.
Jacks or Better pay table: what full pay 9/6 means
Players describe Jacks or Better pay tables by the full house and flush payouts per coin. A 9/6 game pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush, and that's the version that returns about 99.54% with optimal play, computed for standard rules. The table below shows the standard 9/6 schedule.
Standard 9/6 Jacks or Better pay table (coins won)
Hand
1 coin
5 coins
Win on a $1.25 bet (5 × $0.25)
Royal flush
250
4,000
$1,000
Straight flush
50
250
$62.50
Four of a kind
25
125
$31.25
Full house
9
45
$11.25
Flush
6
30
$7.50
Straight
4
20
$5.00
Three of a kind
3
15
$3.75
Two pair
2
10
$2.50
Jacks or better
1
5
$1.25
Notice the jump in the royal flush: 250 per coin on one to four coins, but 800 per coin at five coins. Playing fewer than five coins gives up a large part of the royal's value and lowers the return, so pick a coin size that lets you bet five coins within your budget. The video poker pay table glossary entry and full pay explained go further.
RTG's exact pay table isn't published in our sources. The 99.54% figure points to a 9/6 table, but check the paytable on screen before you play.
Jacks or Better RTP and house edge by pay table
Casinos change Jacks or Better's return by trimming the full house and flush pays. Each step down costs more than it looks, because those hands land often. These returns are computed for standard rules with optimal strategy.
Jacks or Better returns by pay table (computed for standard rules)
Pay table (full house / flush)
Return with optimal play
House edge
9/6 (full pay)
99.54%
0.46%
8/5
97.30%
2.70%
7/5
96.15%
3.85%
6/5
95.00%
5.00%
So a 9/6 game has a house edge about six times smaller than an 8/5 game. Those returns assume optimal play over a very long run; real players make mistakes, and short sessions swing widely. Read how RTP works and our house edge guide for the method.
Online Jacks or Better odds on the deal
There are 2,598,960 possible five-card deals. Counting every one gives the chance of each hand before you draw. These are computed exactly; drawing changes them, which is the whole skill of the game.
Chance of each hand on the first five cards (computed)
Hand on the deal
Number of deals
Chance
About one in
Royal flush
4
0.0002%
649,740
Straight flush
36
0.0014%
72,193
Four of a kind
624
0.024%
4,165
Full house
3,744
0.144%
694
Flush
5,108
0.197%
509
Straight
10,200
0.392%
255
Three of a kind
54,912
2.11%
47
Two pair
123,552
4.75%
21
Jacks or better pair
337,920
13.0%
8
Low pair (2s to 10s)
760,320
29.3%
3
Nothing
1,302,540
50.1%
2
Half of all deals contain nothing, and another 29% hold only a low pair that doesn't pay yet. The draw turns many of those into winners, and holding four to a royal makes the top prize far more frequent than the 1-in-649,740 deal odds. No pattern, timing or bet size changes these odds; each hand is dealt by a random number generator.
What Jacks or Better costs per hour in dollars
Expected loss is total stake × house edge. Online video poker is fast, so the table assumes 500 hands an hour as an illustration, at two common bet sizes.
Expected hourly loss at 500 hands (computed)
Pay table
House edge
$1.25 a hand ($625 staked)
$5 a hand ($2,500 staked)
9/6
0.46%
$2.88
$11.50
8/5
2.70%
$16.88
$67.50
7/5
3.85%
$24.06
$96.25
6/5
5.00%
$31.25
$125.00
These are averages over a long run. Most sessions lose more or less than the figure, and video poker's return leans heavily on rare royals. Without a royal, a 9/6 session usually runs well below 99.54%. Plan for that with a fixed budget, as our bankroll management guide explains.
Jacks or Better strategy: a simple hold order
Optimal strategy is what makes the 99.54% figure possible. Full computer strategy has many exceptions, but the simplified hold order below, for 9/6 games, captures most of the value. Find the highest line that matches your hand and hold those cards.
Royal flush, straight flush or four of a kind
Four to a royal flush
Full house, flush, straight or three of a kind
Four to a straight flush
Two pair
A high pair (jacks or better)
Three to a royal flush
Four to a flush
A low pair (2s to 10s)
Four to an outside straight (open at both ends)
Two suited high cards
Three to a straight flush
Two unsuited high cards (if you have three, keep the lowest two)
A suited 10 with a jack, queen or king
One high card
Otherwise, draw five new cards
Two common mistakes cost the most: breaking a high pair to chase a flush or straight draw, and holding a kicker with a pair. Strategy lowers the edge; it doesn't remove it. For more, see our video poker strategy guide and the kicker entry.
How to play Jacks or Better online, step by step
Open the game and read the pay table on screen. Confirm the full house and flush pays per coin.
Set the coin value so that five coins fit your budget, then choose five coins.
Deal the hand to receive five cards.
Select the cards you want to keep, using the hold order above.
Draw once to replace the cards you didn't hold. The final hand is paid from the pay table.
Decide whether to use the double-or-nothing gamble on a win, or collect. Collecting keeps your result unchanged.
Check your balance against your session budget before the next hand.
Our general guide on how to play video poker covers the screen layout and terms used across all variants.
The double-or-nothing gamble in RTG Jacks or Better
RTG's version includes a double-or-nothing gamble, per SlotCatalog. After a winning hand you can risk the win for a chance to double it, or lose it. RTG's exact gamble rules aren't published in our sources, so read the help screen before you use it.
Whatever the mechanics, the gamble adds risk without adding to the base game's return. It makes your results swing more and puts your winnings back in play. A sensible default is to collect wins and keep the base game's math working for you, especially when you're near the end of your budget.
Jacks or Better and casino bonuses
Video poker and bonuses have an awkward relationship. Because Jacks or Better has such a low edge, many casinos exclude it or set higher wagering. SlotoCash's own general bonus terms exclude video poker by default. Silver Oak's own pages set 60x for video poker. Third-party reports on Royal Ace list 60x (bonus + deposit) for video poker and 30x for slots, and on Planet 7 list 60x for video poker on comp-point redemptions and a no-deposit chip.
Here's the arithmetic for a 60x (bonus + deposit) offer. A $100 deposit with a $200 bonus needs $18,000 wagered. At 9/6's 0.46% edge, the expected cost of that wagering is $82.80, but at $1.25 a hand that's 14,400 hands, and results swing hard before then. Max cashout caps, bet limits and bonus abuse rules can also cut what you keep. See our video poker bonus guide before you opt in.
Is online Jacks or Better legal in the US?
Real-money online video poker is state-licensed only in the seven online casino states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Maine legalized tribal-run online casinos in January 2026, but none had launched by October 2026. Elsewhere, no state licenses it. Our state-by-state guide covers each state's law.
RTG casinos are offshore and not licensed or regulated by any US state. That leaves no state regulator to complain to, no state-backed protection of balances and terms the casino sets. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has named several RTG brands as illegal offshore operators. Read offshore casino legality and the protections you lose offshore before depositing.
Where to play Jacks or Better: casinos with an offer via our links
Planet 7 leads because third-party reviews report Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild in its lobby, with 14 video poker variants. Royal Ace runs RTG and, per LCB, counts video poker toward its welcome bonus at 60x. SlotoCash's own site lists video poker titles such as Double Double Bonus Poker. All three are offshore casinos not licensed by any US state; check your state's law first. We earn commission from these links, and the order is commercial.
Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
Royal Ace Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 35 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
SlotoCash Casino: $6,000 Welcome Bonus + 60 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
Planet 7's terms are third-party: LCB reports code WELCOME200 at 200% with 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots, a $1,000 max cashout and a $30 card minimum. Third parties disagree on its license, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board named it in cease-and-desist letters on April 9, 2025 (opens in a new tab).
For Royal Ace, LCB reports (opens in a new tab) 200% up to $4,000, 30x on slots, 60x on video poker, a max cashout of 10x the deposit and a $30 card minimum; casino.guru reports 250% up to $2,500 with 35 spins. Third parties report it refuses Ohio players and disagree on its license.
SlotoCash's own terms set 25x (deposit + bonus), a $20 minimum per bonus and no max cashout, but its welcome bonus excludes video poker. Michigan's board named SlotoCash in an October 8, 2026 release (opens in a new tab). The terms shown at sign-up apply. Read the Planet 7, Royal Ace and SlotoCash reviews, and call 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) or visit NCPG (opens in a new tab) if you need support.
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
Video poker is often excluded from welcome bonuses or wagered at 60x: check each casino's eligible-games list before you opt in.
Planet 7 Casino#5 on our listRealTime Gaming slots
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Royal Ace Casino#6 on our listSlots and specialty games
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews disagree on the package (200% up to $4,000, or 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins); the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and specialty games (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Third parties report it does not accept Ohio players.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus on slots (reported). Max cashout: 10x deposit (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
SlotoCash Casino#1 on our listBiggest bonus on our list
Published terms (casino terms): SlotoCash advertises up to $7,777 + 300 spins over five deposits on its own site. Eligible games: Slots, keno and scratch cards (progressive jackpots excluded).
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; reported as a Deckmedia N.V. brand (Curaçao). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, October 8, 2026.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $20 per bonus. Wagering 25x deposit + bonus. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap $5,000 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTP of Jacks or Better?
RTG's Jacks or Better is listed at 99.54% RTP by GamesHub, a third-party source. That matches the return computed for the standard full-pay 9/6 pay table with optimal strategy. Lower pay tables return less: about 97.30% for 8/5 and 95.00% for 6/5. Always check the full house and flush pays on screen, because they tell you which version you're playing. Our RTP question page explains what the figure means in practice.
What does 9/6 Jacks or Better mean?
9/6 means the game pays 9 coins per coin bet for a full house and 6 for a flush. It's the full-pay version of Jacks or Better, returning about 99.54% with optimal play, computed for standard rules. An 8/5 game pays 8 and 5 and returns about 97.30%. The other lines of the pay table are usually the same, so these two numbers are the quickest way to judge a game. See full pay in our glossary.
What is the best strategy for Jacks or Better?
Follow a hold order: keep made hands and four to a royal first, then four to a straight flush, two pair, a high pair, three to a royal, four to a flush and so on down. Never break a high pair for a flush or straight draw, and don't hold a kicker. A simplified order captures most of the value of full computer strategy. Our video poker strategy guide has more detail and examples.
Why should I bet max coins in Jacks or Better?
Because the royal flush pays 800 per coin at five coins but only 250 per coin with fewer. The full-pay return assumes five coins, so playing fewer lowers the return noticeably. If five coins is too expensive, choose a smaller coin value rather than fewer coins. That keeps the bet affordable and the pay table intact. The bet max glossary entry explains the idea across games.
How often do you get a royal flush in Jacks or Better?
On the first five cards alone, a royal flush comes once in 649,740 deals, computed by counting every possible hand. Drawing, especially holding four or three to a royal, makes it far more frequent than that, but it's still a rare event that many players never see in a session. The royal provides a large share of the game's return. Read jackpot odds for how rare top prizes affect your results.
Is online Jacks or Better rigged?
There's no published evidence that RTG's Jacks or Better is rigged, but you can't verify an offshore game's fairness yourself. Third-party sources say RTG games are tested by Technical Systems Testing, and no US state regulator oversees offshore casinos. Each hand is dealt by a random number generator, so earlier hands don't affect later ones. Our answer on whether RTG games are fair covers what's known.
Can I clear a casino bonus playing Jacks or Better?
Sometimes, but often at 60x or not at all. SlotoCash's own terms exclude video poker from bonuses by default, and Silver Oak's own pages set 60x for video poker. Third-party reports put Royal Ace at 60x for video poker. Playing an excluded game with an active bonus can void winnings, and max cashout caps may limit what you keep. See what games count toward wagering before you opt in.
Which casinos have Jacks or Better online?
Third-party reviews report Jacks or Better at Planet 7, among 14 video poker variants. Other RTG casinos may carry it too, so check the video poker section of the lobby. RTG's version was released in 2018 with a reported 99.54% RTP. The partner casinos are offshore and not licensed by any US state. Our best video poker casinos list compares the partners for this kind of play.
Is Jacks or Better better than slots?
On cost, usually yes: a 9/6 game's 0.46% edge, computed for standard rules, is far lower than typical slot edges, though it requires good strategy to reach. Slots need no decisions and some offer large jackpots, while video poker rewards careful holds. Neither changes the fact that the house keeps an edge over time. Compare RTPs with our high-RTP casinos list and set a budget before you play.
Is online Jacks or Better legal in Ohio?
Not at any state-licensed site, because Ohio doesn't license online casinos. The Ohio Casino Control Commission regulates four casinos, in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati, and third-party reports count 11 casinos and racinos in all. A bill to allow online casino games at those 11 venues, HB 298, has sat in the House Finance Committee since May 21, 2025, and a Senate bill, SB 197, has stalled. Third-party reviewers also report that some offshore brands, Royal Ace among them, refuse Ohio players. See our Ohio gambling laws page and can I play online casinos in Ohio.
Should I use the double-or-nothing gamble in Jacks or Better?
Usually not, unless you want extra swing for fun. SlotCatalog lists a double-or-nothing gamble in RTG's Jacks or Better, but RTG's exact gamble rules aren't published in our sources, so you can't tell whether it's a fair 50/50 or carries its own edge. Either way, it adds risk without improving the base game's 99.54% reported return, and it puts money you've already won back in play. Collecting every win keeps your results tied to the pay table. If you do try it, read the help screen first and set a cap. Our video poker strategy guide focuses on the decisions that matter.
Can I play Jacks or Better on my phone at Planet 7?
Third-party reports suggest yes. Blockonomi names Jacks or Better among Planet 7's games, counts 14 video poker variants, and reports instant play in Android and iOS browsers with no downloadable app, plus a desktop download client. Check that the mobile version shows the same 9/6 pay table before you bet, since the full house and flush lines decide the return. Use five coins at a smaller coin value if the screen size tempts you to rush. Planet 7 is offshore and not licensed by any US state. See our Planet 7 video poker page and the Android playing guide.
Should I keep a high pair or four to a flush in Jacks or Better?
Keep the high pair. In the simplified 9/6 hold order, a pair of jacks or better ranks above three to a royal flush, which itself ranks above four to a flush, so breaking a paying pair to chase a flush gives up value. Breaking a high pair for a flush or straight draw is one of the two most costly common mistakes; the other is holding a kicker beside a pair. A low pair is different: four to a flush ranks above a pair of 2s through 10s. The kicker entry and our how to play video poker guide explain the terms.
How much bankroll do I need for Jacks or Better?
Enough to ride out several hundred dollars of swing if you play for hours at $1.25 a hand. On the 9/6 table, the expected loss over 500 hands at $1.25 is about $2.88, but results vary far more than that because the royal supplies a big share of the return. Computed for standard rules, Jacks or Better's standard deviation is about 4.42 bets per hand, so one standard deviation over 1,000 hands at $1.25 is roughly $175. Pick a budget you can lose, then a coin size that fits it. Our what is a good bankroll answer helps with sizing.
Do I pay taxes on a Jacks or Better royal flush?
Yes. Gambling winnings are taxable federal income, whether or not you receive a form. On a $1.25 bet, a royal flush pays $1,000; on a $2.50 bet (five $0.50 coins) it pays $2,000, which reaches the $2,000 reporting threshold IRS instructions set for slot winnings paid in 2026. Offshore casinos may not issue a W-2G, so you're responsible for reporting. From tax year 2026, the loss deduction is reported to be capped at 90% of losses and only up to your winnings; check IRS guidance. See do I pay tax on casino winnings and our big win taxes guide.
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