Jacks or Better Poker Rules

This game is a variant of 5 Card draw. In this game the rules are much the same but there are a few noticeable differences:

This game begins with all players ante. To begin the game a pair of Jacks or better is needed. At this point betting is declared 'open'. When the pot is opened, players can decide whether to stay in the pot or fold. If no player has a pair of Jacks or better to open betting, the hands are thrown away, players re-ante and the game starts again until a player has the minimum hand.

Note: Any player who has legally declared the pot opened must prove openers in order to win the pot.

In all cases, the pot plays (even if the opener shows or declares a fouled hand) if there has been a raise, two or more players call the opening bet, or all action is completed before the draw.

Any player can request that the opener retain the opening hand and show it after the winner of the pot has been determined.

Other than these exceptions the rules are as in 5 Card draw.