How to Play Jacks or Better Poker

Royal straight flush, the best hand in poker

When you’re tired of Five-Card Draw, try this variation of the popular poker game. With no wild cards, Jacks or Better Progressive changes the openers (Queens or Better, Kings or Better, up to Aces then back down), and Jacks or Better Trips to Win allows players to open with Jacks, but a player can only win if he has three of a kind or better. Learn the basic game here. Good luck and have fun!

Things You'll Need

• Deck of cards
• Card table and seating
• Poker chips or change
• Two or more players

Instructions

1. Ante up. Begin with a medium ante, equal to a typical bet. For instance, if a regular bet in your home game is 25 cents, that is a good ante for this game. Do not set a high ante, as this game can repeat itself many times if no one can “open,” and players will soon be out of money if they must pay a high ante each hand.

2. Shuffle up and deal. The basic structure of this game matches Five-Card Draw. Each player receives five cards face down. Deal one card at a time to each player. There are no wild cards.

3. Play begins to the left of the dealer. Each player must declare if he can “open.” He can open if he has a pair of jacks or better in his hand, although he does not need to show the cards. (Note: He also doesn’t have to keep his openers when drawing new cards, but he should keep the discards handy in case he has to reveal his openers.)

4. If no one can open, repeat the game from Step 1, including another ante. Be sure to shuffle in the cards you used for this game.

5. When a player declares she can open, that player decides on the amount of the bet. Typically, this is equal to the ante, but it may be higher. It should not be lower.

6. Call, raise or fold. Play circulates clockwise from the opener.

7. Choose up to three cards to discard. You may choose to discard none. Some people choose to allow players to draw four cards if they show that they are holding an ace. Decide before your game whether to allow this rule or not.

8. Deal new cards to each player, equal to the number he discarded. Make your best poker hand using five cards.

9. Commence the final round of betting, beginning with the opener and continuing clockwise.

10. The winner collects the pot. Hand hierarchy matches regular poker rules. From best to worst hands: Royal straight flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, pair, high card. If players tie, split the pot evenly among the winners. If you feel it is necessary, you may ask the opener to reveal the cards he used to open.

Tips & Warnings

• Offer to be dealer after you've reached your loss limit so you can still enjoy the camaraderie of the game. This will give you a chance to observe your opponents and pick up on their tells.

• Know when to quit. Gambling can be very addictive, even when you’re not playing for money.

• Don’t borrow money or chips to continue playing.

• Don't gamble if you are depressed. Don't gamble if you are under the influence of alcohol.