Hello and welcome to my YES Jackpot review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Jackpot as a freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Jackpot a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freestyle snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: YES Jackpot 2019
Price: $479 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10 on YES’s flex scale)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Soft, bordering on medium (4.5/10)
Rating Score: 86.8/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Boards
Out of the 36 men’s freestyle snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Jackpot’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Jackpot’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $479 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Camber 2-4-2 (rocker-camber-rocker) |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Normal |
Sizing
Length (cm) | 149 | 152 | 154 | 156 | 156W | 158 |
Waist Width (mm) | 248 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 258 | 254 |
Rec Rider Weight (lb) | 125-165 | 135-175 | 140-180 | 145-185 | 150-190 | 150-190 |
Rec Rider Weight (kg) | 57-75 | 61-80 | 64-82 | 65-84 | 68-86 | 73-91 |
Who is the Jackpot Most Suited To?
The Jackpot is perfect for anyone who likes to spend a lot of time in the park but who also likes to leave the park, lay down some carves and pick up some speed.
It’s better for speed and carving than most freestyle boards – but it’s main strengths still lie in freestyle tasks, such as jumps, jibbing, riding switch and for butters.
It wouldn’t be a horrible choice as a complete beginner board – but not ideal either. But for intermediate or high-level beginners it is suitable.
It’s also great in hard and icy snow conditions, so if you encounter those a lot, then this is a great option.
The Jackpot in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Jackpot is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: YES Jackpot 2019, 154cm (251mm waist width)
Date: March 16, 2018
Conditions: Sunny as! So yeah, perfect vis. Snow was pretty soft on groomer – mustn’t have been cold enough in the morning to ice up. But pretty crunchy/icy off groomer. As close to zero wind as you can get.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 263mm
Weight: 2740grams (6lb 1 oz)
Weight per cm: 17.79 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.21 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of 24 boards that I weighed. So just on the light side of normal – but a very small sample size. Roughly normal weight.
Powder
Not really designed to ride the powder. Of course, you can ride powder on any board, but the Jackpot isn’t designed for it. Better than some freestyle boards though. There’s enough rocker tip and tail to help with float.
It’s probably a 2.5/5 for one direction in powder but I give it a 3/10 for powder just because, it’s equally as good in powder riding switch, so if you like to ride switch in powder, then it’s got that.
But either direction, you’ll still have to work reasonably hard to keep it afloat – perhaps even more so for the 2019 model, which now has less rocker tip and tail.
Carving & Turning
The Jackpot is a pretty good little carver for a centered, twin, freestyle deck. Again, even more so, now that it’s more camber dominant for the 2019 model.
In terms of skidded turns, it’s quite forgiving and it’s pretty quick edge-to-edge.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Speed
For a freestyle board, it can handle speed pretty well. Even on the 154cm, which is shorter than I’d usually ride even for a freestyle board, it had reasonable stability at speed. Would be even better if I was a longer size – the rating for speed is based on what it would be estimated to be like on a longer length.
That said, since I would buy this board as a strictly freestyle deck, I’d potentially actually go for the 154. Though more likely the 156.
Uneven Terrain
It’s pretty forgiving on uneven terrain for that late afternoon crud.
Jumps
The Jackpot has some really good pop and felt really nice over small, medium or large jumps.
It’s a great board of ollies with all that pop in there and it felt nice and stable on landings.
It’s an easy board to spin – and felt great off rollers, natural hits and jumps in the park.
Switch
The only thing that would improve this board for riding switch (IMO) would be asymmetry – but some people don’t like asym, so not every freestyle board is going to be asym. And that’s only a small thing really – this board is pretty close to being ideal for riding switch.
Jibbing/Butters
Not as good with jibs as the 2018 model was – just because of that less emphasized rocker tip and tail. But still something that I felt confident jibbing on.
And it still butters just as well – really easy board to butter on.
Changes from the 2018 Model
The main change for the 2019 model, compared to the 2018 model is that it now has a 2-4-2 (rocker-camber-rocker) set up for its camber profile. Previously it was 4-4-4, So, there is less rocker there now. This gives the board a slightly different, more camber dominant feel – but certainly still notice those rocker sections so certainly nothing like trad camber.
So, overall it has a slightly more aggressive, slightly more all-mountain-freestyle, less jibby feel to it. But still butters just as well.
Changes from the 2017 Model
The 2018 model is virtually identical to the 2017 model, except that the stance width options have been narrowed (and the graphic has changed).
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Switch | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
Jumps | 4.0 | 20/25 |
Jibbing | 3.5 | 14/20 |
Uneven Terrain | 4.0 | 8/10 |
Powder | 3.0 | 3/5 |
Carving/Turning | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
Speed | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
Pipe | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.8/100 |
Overall, the Jackpot is a great park board that can also take you for some groomer laps and let’s you lay down some carves and pick up a bit of speed, when feeling the need. But it’s still at it’s best in the park, particularly for the jump line and for spins – but also for buttering and jibbing too.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Jackpot, are ready to buy or want to research current prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Jackpot compares to other men’s freestyle boards or want to check out some other freestyle options, click on the button below.
Hey Nate! That’s a very very nice review!I ve got last years model and im looking for new bindings! Which one did you use?? I’m between a lot of models and I’m a little bit confused.. I ride the burton missions but I want something softer..(contacts?contacts pro? Ride rodeos?nowbrigade?k2lienfs?
Thanks a lot
Hi Maik
I used my 2016 Flux DSs (which I used on most boards that I demoed last season to get a consistent experience). They’re an option and worked with the Jackpot and would be a little softer than the Missions – but I think the Contact Pros or Lien FS would be your best options – or the Ride Rodeo. They’re all a bit softer and have a good board feel, and have good shock absorption, which I like for riding freestyle.
You can check out this list too (which has those 3 bindings on it):
>>Top 5 All Freestyle Bindings
Hope this helps
How stiff is this? compared to say a NS Proto Type 2?
Hi Veil
I’d say it’s just a touch softer than the PT2. I’d put PT2 at about 5/10 and the Jackpot at 4 or perhaps more like 4.5/10.
YES rate it 4/5, which in my head translates to 8/10. But no way it’s that stiff. YESs flex ratings are a bit weird, IMO – but they make awesome boards, so we can forgive them their flex rating system!
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Have you try GNU Headspace C3 ?
Which one will you recommend between these two boards for a freestyle beginner?
Thanks.
Hi CW
I haven’t ridden the Headspace since it got it’s C3 camber. It used to be BTX (so basically all-rocker) and now it’s mostly camber.
Generally speaking camber can feel catchy and quite aggressive when there’s little rocker to balance it out. So, based on other C3 models, I’d say that this wouldn’t be the best for a beginner. It sounds like you’re a beginner just in the sense of freestyle, so you can already ride? (let me know if I have that wrong though) – but even so I would say that something more forgiving in terms of the camber profile would be better for leaning freestyle on – even if you can otherwise ride competently. Looks like it’s still got the same flex (which is on the softer side of medium) so in that respect, I think it would be fine but it’s the camber profile that would put me off for a beginner in freestyle.
The YES Jackpot would be a better bet, IMO – still not overly beginner friendly, but relatively beginner friendly. It feels closer to medium flex than soft flex – going with something softer would be an easier learning curve – but it’s not a bad bet, and based on the camber profiles, I’d say a better bet than the Headspace C3.
Size is also important. You’ll want to go for something shorter than you would for all-mountain riding – going shorter will to make either of these boards better for learning freestyle on, compared to if you went with a longer length. If you’d like a length recommendation I’d be happy to provide one if you could let me know your height and weight.
Hope this helps
Hi there, I’m 165lb us11 … Using a ride reduced footprint boots…What size u think I should get?? The 154 or 156?? I will be the park board for me as I will use my old board for other stuffs…Thanks!
Hi Lawrence
Given that you will just be using it as your park board and that you have reduced footprint boots, I think either will be ok for width – assuming you’re riding with a decent angle on your back foot (e.g. 15 degrees).
In terms of the length to go with, I would probably be leaning towards 154 for your weight, but if you could also let me know your height and the size of your other board, then I can make a more accurate recommendation.
Hope this helps
I’m 5’10, yea, I’m leaning to get a 154 too. Thanks!!
Hi Lawrence
Yeah, you could ride either of those, but I would still lean towards the 154, since it’s going to be your dedicated park board and assuming your other board is longer.
Hey Nate, I’m 5’3″ 150lb, I generally ride 154. I tried the 154 jackpot and loved it. But, should I size down? Thanks
Hi Tony
Yeah I would size down a little for it. But personal preference and what you’re used to do come into it as well. Ordinarily for your specs, for this board, I would say 149 – but since you are used to 154s and since you tried this board in the 154 and know you liked that size, then I think the 152 is probably your best bet.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate.
I am 27 yo and I am an intermediate rider (following your guide about the ability level). I would like to start to learn some tricks and enter in the park. I would like to buy an all-mountain freestyle board that allows me to go on groomers and carve well but also behave well in the park. I don’t care about powder.
I’m undecided between the yes jackpot 2019 and the salomon assassin 2019. I can buy both for the same price.
Which one you would buy?
They seem pretty close.
I’m 5’93” 190lbs and my boots are 10us(280cm). Which measure do you suggest?
I have union factory 2014 bindings l/xl.
Are they good for these boards?
Thank you very much for your attention.
Hi Carmine
Thanks for your message.
Yeah both are pretty similar, but certainly not exactly the same. The main differences, IMO, are:
1. The Jackpot is a little better for jibbing
2. The Assassin is a little better for jumps
3. The Jackpot is better in hard/icy conditions, though the Assassin not bad there either
4. The Jackpot is a true twin, the 2019 Assassin is a directional twin (a little longer in the nose than in the tail) – the 2018 was a true twin but the 2019 changed a bit
5. The Assassin is a lighter board – the Jackpot isn’t heavy by any means (on the lighter side of normal) but the Assassin is very light.
The Union Factory would work fine with either of these boards, IMO.
Size-wise, I would go 156 for both for you. You could also go 158 for Jackpot and 159 for Assassin, but I think the 156 would be better suited.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Thank you Nate for your answer! I’m considering also the yes greats 156 of 2017/18 since I can buy one at the same price of the salomon assassin 2019. Which one would you prefer between the assassin and the greats as an all mountain freestyle board? Does the greats 17/18 edge hold sucks with respect to the assassin? How are their pop compared?
I also go sometimes off-piste but always something easy (close to the groomers) since I’m not interested too much in the Pow.
Thank you very much for your help I promise these are the last questions 🙂
Last thing I’m 5’11” (181cm) not 5’93”. Sorry for my conversion error
Hi Carmine
Thanks for the correction. That makes something closer to 159 more appealing. But something around 156 is still an option too – given that you’re intermediate, wanting something that’s poppy and good for freestyle and not too worried about powder. The longer sizes would give you a bit more in terms of stability at speed, so you’d have to weigh that up, but 156 would certainly work for what you’re describing.
The 2017-18 Greats, doesn’t have the same edge-hold as the 2019 model but it’s still pretty good. I would say similar to the Assassin’s. The 2019 Greats better than the Assassin and 2017-18 Greats, in that respect, IMO. Pop-wise, they would be pretty similar – both have really good pop.
It’s certainly a close call between the 17-18 Greats, and the 2019 Assassin, but I would be leaning towards the 17-18 Greats. Even though I feel the 2019 Greats is an improvement on the 17-18 Greats, the 17-18 Greats was still an awesome deck, IMO.
But neither would be a bad call. Both are really good boards and would be suitable for what you’re describing.
Thank you very much Nate for your help in this choice. You re very kind! Your advices are precious!
I will go for the Yes greats then!
I have the possibility also to buy a greats 2019 for a bit more but in the size 151. I’m thinking that since the increase in width of this year this size could fit my boots size but I’m bit worried about stability on groomers.
What do you think about?
Hi Carmine
I think the 151 would be too small. I would still go 156 for the 2019 model. The 154 at a stretch, but the 151 too small, IMO. I’m similar specs (6’0″, 185lbs, US10 boots) and I like the 156 for the 2019 model.
Thank you again Nate!
I ended up buying the greats 2017/18 156.
You’re advices were so helpful.
Can’t wait to try it on the snow!
You’re very welcome Carmine. Let me know what you think once you’ve had a chance to get it on snow (if you think of it at the time). Hope you have an awesome season!