What does Jacks or Better mean in video poker?

Jacks or Better is a classic video poker format where the minimum winning hand starts with a pair of jacks.

How does it work?

The player receives five cards, can replace some of them, and tries to build a winning hand. Unlike some other versions of video poker, weaker pairs do not pay. To get even the basic payout, you need a pair of jacks, queens, kings, aces, or any stronger hand.

The term matters because Jacks or Better is considered the standard version of video poker for many players. It has simple logic, a clear paytable, and a very familiar payout structure.