Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is one of our favourite home games and more so because these games can be super fast or they can amount to some big pots, depending on how long the game takes to actually make a game.

How to Play Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is played just like a 5 Card Draw game and prior to the hands being dealt the dealer must choose how many draws players must take and whether the draws are optional or not. Players will than receive five cards face down. Each player will have their turn to open and can only open if they have a pair of jacks or better in their hand. If a player does, they will inform everyone at the table that they are able to open and place an opening bet. Those who wish to stay in the game will call the bet and the dealer will deal the additional cards to the players. Players will again have the chance to bet and a showdown will take place. The best five card hand wins the pot.

If a player does not have jacks or better in their hand, all hands will be declared dead, all hands will be mucked and players will need to ante into the pot again and start over the game over. When this happens opening bet must come from a player with Q's or better. This process will continue through K’s, A’s and back to J’s should the rounds not be able to receive an opening bet.

Variations of Jacks or Better

We usually play a double legger in this game which means you must win two hands in order to win the pot. Antes and betting rounds will continue as normal, except with a double legger the pots tend to grow to a fairly decent size and because you won one hand does not mean that you will win a second...adds a bit more fun to the game.