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Knowing your best Video Poker starting hands is a great way to look for the situations that will produce the most value for you while you play. Look for these top hands that will result in the biggest percentage of combinations following the redraw.

Let’s look at the top starting hands for a game of Jacks or Better. Obviously, the best starting hands will be hands that are automatically going to pay out – this removes a lot of the decision-making and video poker strategy.

Top Video Poker Starting Hands:

2 Pair or Better

– If your hand starts out with anything from two pairs to a royal flush, you’re set. Any of the cards that make up this winning, qualified hand should be held while you hope for an upgrade with the redraw.

Example: If you had a starting hand with 2 pairs (10s and Jacks), you would definitely hold those pairs and hope for the full house in the redraw.

Pay Pair

Any pair in your starting hand that is greater than or equal to Jacks (Queens, Kings & Aces) guarantees you a payout. Hold onto the guaranteed cash and redraw the three other cards.

Example: Start with a pair of Queens, hold them, and redraw the other cards. You’re hoping for another pair, the completed set, or even 4 of a kind.

Non-Pay Pair

A non-pay pair would be a hand that contains any pair that is below Jacks. When you get a hand like that, hold the pair and redraw the other 3 cards. Because you are trying to qualify for a payout (and not playing against other players) there is no need to hold high kickers, as you want to give yourself the best chance to complete the triple or grab another pair.

Learn more about video poker in our Video Poker Guide

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