Simple Jacks or Better Strategy Tutorial

Statistical Arbitrage strategy applied to Video Poker

Introduction

Jacks or Better is a popular video poker game available at many online casinos. When collecting casino matched deposit bonuses, it counts towards wagering requirements for most online casinos, has a high payout, and a large jackpot.

This article will show readers how to calculate and maximise their expected return when using Jacks or Better to clear Casino bonuses. In effect, this is a statistical arbitrage strategy similar to that used by Casinos to maintain a house edge against players.

Readers who do not already know how to play Jacks or Better are advised to read this tutorial covering the basics.

Simple Optimal Strategy

CSBS favours a simple Jacks or Better strategy as it allows a faster rate of play with minimal expected loss. 5 coins should be played per hand as this maximises the payout from a Royal Flush.

This simple strategy has a 99.46% payout. To use the it, find all the ways to play a possible hand from the list below, and select the one that is highest. A high card is one that is a Jack or better (i.e. Jack, Queen, King or Ace).

To execute the strategy, players simply play the initial hand that is highest in this list:

  • Full house or better

  • 4 to a royal flush

  • Straight, three of a kind, or flush

  • 4 to a straight flush

  • Two pair

  • High pair (i.e. pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces)

  • 3 to a royal flush

  • 4 to a flush

  • Low pair (i.e. pair of Tens or lower)

  • 4 to an outside straight

  • 2 suited high cards

  • 3 to a straight flush

  • 2 unsuited high cards (if more than 2 pick then pick lowest 2)

  • Suited 10/J, 10/Q, or 10/K

  • One high card

  • Discard everything

    • Expected Returns - Intercasino US Example

    Before claiming any casino deposit bonuses, it is important to understand the terms and conditions, and any wagering requirements. As an example, we shall consider claiming the Intercasino US $90 monthly deposit bonus, and demonstrate how to calculate the expected return.

    At time of writing, Intercasino US offer a $90 monthly deposit bonus. This means that playerss depositing $90 will receive a $90 bonus into their account. (Intercasino US credits this immediately upon deposit, but other casinos may act differently).

    The terms and conditions state that players must wager an aggregate total of 25 times the bonus in the casino before they can withdraw the bonus money. For example, a player who deposits $90 and receives a $90 bonus must then wager an aggregate total of $2,250 before they can cash out.

    A player using the Simple Strategy would expect a payout of 99.46% which is equivalent to a loss of 0.0054%. Therefore, if they wager the full $2,250 wager requirement they would expect a loss of $2,250 * 0.0054 = $12.15.

    Since the player received a $90 deposit bonus, their expected profit is therefore - $90.00-$12.15 = $77.85.

    Problems to consider

    There are some additional considerations that players may want to consider before taking advantage of these bonuses. A few are listed here:

    • Neteller users must pay $1.00 to withdraw. This is an additional cost reducing the expected return to $76.85.

    • The expected return is only an estimate. Players are not guaranteed to win every month, though if they hit a Royal Flush then they could make a lot more than $77.85.

    • Some casinos will allow players to withdraw their deposits before they have even started working through the wager requirements. CSBS does not recommend this as it can lead to players being banned for abusing the promotions.

    Ben Willets is an enthuisiastic gambler and runs the popular Casino and Sports Betting - Even the Odds Website (http://www.financialcharti ng.com/casino-sports-betting-strategies/).

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Always Win in the Casino Like James Bond

    In the Bond film 'Diamonds Are Forever' we see James... Read More

    Lotto System: Interview With The Creator Of Lotto System That ROCK The Market!!!

    Lotto System: How you can win lotto easily and automaticallyIn... Read More

    Keno Game 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know

    'Keno' is a well known game nowadays. It is frequently... Read More

    Free Online Card Games -- Getting Ready for Las Vegas

    Free online card games that can be played over the... Read More

    Online Poker - Learn to Play for Free, and the Chance to Win Real Cash Prizes

    All of the online poker rooms offer you the opportunity... Read More

    Bingo Basics

    Bingo is one of the most simple and general game... Read More

    The Bingo Renaissance

    Little old ladies in slippers, playing for pennies and cents... Read More

    Roulette: The Game of Remarkable Comebacks

    In casino gambling, sometimes even the most knowledgable players turn... Read More

    Theres More to Poker than Texas Holdem!

    Texas holdem is taking over the world, but believe it... Read More

    Casino Gambling Tips for Online Gambling

    Casino gambling tips for the Internet are good to know... Read More

    Sports Betting Truths

    The first ever recorded sports bets, took place on 10... Read More

    2005 NFC West Football preview

    OVERVIEW: NFC WestThe Arizona Cardinals have posted a mark of... Read More

    The Rise Of Online Poker And Why This Could Spell Disaster For The Inexperienced Gambler

    The growth in online poker has been phenomenal over the... Read More

    Mobile Gaming Leads the Way

    The state of online gambling may have just found another... Read More

    Poker Fever

    Big blind with my jack-three off suit, I found myself... Read More

    A Teenagers Vegas Vacation

    This, a true story about a Vegas vacation involving casino... Read More

    Be Careful or Your Poker Nuts Will Get Crushed!

    The origins of the phrase "poker nuts" are uncertain although... Read More

    Virtual Casino Games

    Looking to find out what kind of games can be... Read More

    Here to Stay - Cyber Casinos and Their Benefits

    The obvious advantages of gambling in a cyber casino are... Read More

    The Secrets of Hop Bets

    Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of hop... Read More

    Casino Olympics

    It's been advertised globally and has been poised to be... Read More

    What To Do With Your Winnings So You Dont Go Broke

    It's been proven time and time again that the majority... Read More

    Is Online Gambling Legal?

    According to the Wire Act, one is not permitted to... Read More

    How To Extend Your Stay & Play At A Casino

    How To Extend Your Stay & Play At A Casino... Read More

    There Is No Such Thing As The Gambling Olympics!

    I often become bewildered when I hear of people bragging,... Read More

    A Beginners Guide to Poker Chips

    Poker is one game that has influenced almost whole of... Read More

    Winning at Slots, The Best Strategies

    Casino gambling is often played with a gambling strategy in... Read More

    Depositing Funds to Your Online Casino & Poker Room Account - The Best Options

    Ways To DepositWhen I first wanted to start playing in... Read More

    Do You Believe These Four Online Slot Machine Myths?

    The fact that people don't really understand how online slot... Read More

    An Easy Way to Become a Good Blackjack Player

    Learning to play the game of casino Blackjack reasonably well... Read More

    A Game For All Seasons

    An overall review of online casino software has led me... Read More

    2 Great Methods To Free Online Poker

    What's one of the most common dreams for a an... Read More

    Want to Know the Roulette Bet With the Best Odds?

    Play on European Tables OnlyRoulette wheels can divided into 37... Read More