Firstly you should always play with the maximum coin value so that you get the best return. Also keep in mind that the max coin bet you will get paid out is significantly much more (Jackpot) if you do hit a Royal Flush.

The chart below indicates the best strategy for holding and discarding cards for Jacks or Better Video Poker game:

Initial Hand: (Cards to Hold) - (Cards to Discard)

Royal Flush: (5) - (0)

Straight Flush: (5) - (0)

4 of a Kind: (4) - (1)

4 Card Royal Flush: (4) - (1)

Full House: (5) - (0)

Flush: (5) - (0)

3 of a Kind: (3) - (2)

Straight: (5) - (0)

4 Card Straight Flush: (4) - (1)

Two Pairs: (4) - (1)

Pair of Jacks or Higher: (2) - (3)

3 Card Royal Flush: (3) - (2)

4 Card Flush: (4) - (1)

Pair Lower Than Jacks: (2) - (3)

4 Card Straight: (4) - (1)

3 Card Straight Flush: (3) -(2)

2 Card Royal Flush: (2) - (3)

3 High Cards: (3) - (2)

2 High Cards: (2) - (3)

1 High Card: (1) - (4)

Anything Else: (0) - (5)

The video poker hands above are explained below in detail:

* Royal flush: Ace-king-queen-jack-10 all of the same suit (hearts, clubs, spades, or diamonds).
* Straight flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit; for example, 2-3-4-5-6, all of clubs.
* Four of a kind: Four cards of the same rank; for example, ace of hearts, ace of spades, ace of clubs, ace of diamonds.
* Full house: Three cards of one rank, two cards of another rank; for example, 3 of diamonds, 3 of hearts, 3 of spades, 6 of hearts, 6 of spades.
* Flush: Five cards of the same suit; for example, ace, 10, 7, 4, 3, all of diamonds.
* Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits; for example, 2 of diamonds, 3 of hearts, 4 of diamonds, 5 of clubs, 6 of spades.
* Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank; for example, 6 of hearts, 6 of clubs, 6 of diamonds.
* Two pair: Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank; for example, ace of spades, ace of hearts, 7 of clubs, 7 of diamonds.
* Pair of jacks or better: Two jacks, queens, kings, or aces. What you should do is print the above chart - look at your hand dealt and then the chart above, and match it to the highest in the list and and use that strategy for maximum wins.

Here are some really good tips I picked up over the years:

1. Always bet the maximum amount of coins on a progressive machine to get the bonus for royal flushes.
2. Seek out Jacks or better machines that pay 9 coins for a full house and six coins for a flush.
3. Ace is not the most important card, KQJ are: easier to make a Straight or Royal Flush.
4. Take your time to study every hand and remember you are playing against a computer, no one will intimidate you if your play is too slow.
5. Don't keep a kicker with a high pair. Don't break a flush even if you can draw one to a straight flush
6. Always break a flush to draw to a royal.
7. Acquire video poker skills using a video poker site. This way you can test you skills with no risk to your wallet. This information would take you years to accumulate under normal casino conditions. And again, the key here is that any knowledge obtained without a casino is best for your wallet! Remember - Never break a straight to draw to a straight flush.
8. Never draw five if you have a jack or better, and
9. Don't keep a ten for a four card draw.