Rules for Jacks or Better Poker

Jacks or Better is a draw variation - a fun game that is a popular feature for video poker games and online casinos. In the live version, players would post an ante. To start the game, a pair of Jacks or better is needed - the point at which the betting would be 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, the hands are thrown away, players re-ante and the game starts again until a player has the required minimum hand. Any accumulative ante's would stay in the pot.

The Deal

Each player receives five cards face down, dealt one card at a time to each player. Play begins left of the dealer with each player declaring whether they can 'open' or not. A player who can open, would either call, raise or fold clockwise from the opener.

Following the initial deal and betting round, there is a draw and players can exchange up to three cards. After the draw, there is a further round of betting followed by showdown.

A few things of note

Any player who has legally declared the pot opened must prove that they have the hand in order to win the pot (.i.e. must show the pair of Jacks or better).

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 - just to prove that they have it.

Whilst you won't find this particular game played online, you can play Draw Poker, a few of it's variations (sadly not this one!) as well as over 20 other games! See which games are available and how rooms stack up against each game.