Video poker is one of the few casino games where a well-informed player can influence long-term outcomes. Understanding the paytable is the most important step — it tells you how much each hand pays and how to adapt strategy to turn a small edge or minimize losses. In this article I’ll share practical lessons drawn from years of playing, testing, and analyzing machines so you can read a paytable confidently, choose the best machines, and improve your results.
Why the paytable matters more than the screen
When you sit at a video poker machine, the graphics, sound and flashy animations are designed to draw you in. But the single, definitive piece of information that determines long-run return is the paytable — the line-by-line list of payouts for each final hand. Two identical-looking games can have very different paytables and wildly different expected returns. Think of the paytable as the engine spec sheet for a car: the glossy exterior may be identical, but under the hood the horsepower and torque change everything.
Before we get technical, one important tip from my personal experience: always pause and read the paytable before you play a new machine. Even a small difference in a payout (for example, a Full House paying 9 coins versus 8 coins) can swing the house edge by tens of percentage points over thousands of hands.
How to read a paytable
A typical video poker paytable lists hands like Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and Jacks or Better (or other low qualifying hands). Each hand has a payout expressed as coins per coin bet or as a multiplier for the bet size (for example, 250 coins for a Royal Flush on a 1-coin bet, or 800 for five coins in a 9/6 Jacks or Better).
Key elements to check:
- Royal Flush payout — many full-pay games give a 4,000 coin payout for a max bet on a 9-coin machine (i.e., 800x for five coins per credit). Look for this premium in full-pay variants.
- Full House and Flush values — classic benchmarks are 9 for Full House and 6 for Flush in “9/6 Jacks or Better.” If those are smaller, the return drops quickly.
- Two Pair and Three of a Kind — their value changes the correct strategy for keeping small pairs or going for straights/flushes.
- Wild card variants — Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and others use wild cards which dramatically change hand rankings and optimal play.
Example: Jacks or Better paytable comparison
Let's compare two hypothetical Jacks or Better paytables. Paytable A is 9/6 Jacks or Better (Full House = 9, Flush = 6), and Paytable B is 8/5 (Full House = 8, Flush = 5). On optimal play, Paytable A returns about 99.54% for full-pay 9/6 on a 5-coin bet, while 8/5 drops that return below 98%. That means an extra ~1.5% house advantage — enough to convert a long-term marginal player into a clear loser.
Because the Royal Flush bonus (especially for a max bet) is disproportionately valuable, always check the max-bet royalty payout and whether max-bet is required for that top payout. Some machines reduce the royal payout unless you wager the maximum number of coins.
Common video poker variants and paytable quirks
Each variant has its own paytable idiosyncrasies:
- Jacks or Better — baseline game where the lowest paying winning hand is a pair of Jacks. Look for 9/6 for the best paytable.
- Deuces Wild — deuces are wild. “Full-pay” deuces often show large payouts for four of a kind and wild-induced straights; paytables vary widely and optimal strategy differs from Jacks.
- Bonus Poker and Double Bonus — give extra for certain quads (e.g., Aces) and can be higher variance; watch the quad payouts closely.
- Double Jackpot / Double Bonus Deluxe — sometimes add step changes to quads and full houses; these tables are for players who like higher variance and bigger swings.
How to calculate expected return from a paytable
Calculating exact expected return requires enumerating all hand outcomes with optimal strategy, which is what strategy charts and computer analyzers do. For practical purposes you can:
- Identify common benchmark paytables (e.g., 9/6 Jacks or Better) and memorize the approximate return for optimal play (about 99.54% for 9/6 with max bet).
- Compare differences: a 1-coin change on Full House or Flush often changes return by ~0.5–1.0% depending on the game.
- Use reputable strategy calculators or apps to input the paytable and see exact returns for perfect play. This is essential if you want to confirm small differences in payout structure.
One practical test I ran: I tracked several thousand hands on two nominally similar Jacks or Better machines, one 9/6 and one 8/5. With near-optimal strategy, the 9/6 game produced measurably better returns and fewer long losing streaks. Over time, even a 1% difference compounds into real money.
Adjusting strategy to the paytable
Optimal decisions change when the paytable changes. Here are a few examples:
- If Two Pair pays lower than usual, you might take more risks to pursue straights/flushes instead of keeping two pair in marginal situations.
- On Deuces Wild, holding a single deuce is often more valuable than chasing a two-card straight or flush draw, but the exact cutoff depends on four-of-a-kind payouts.
- When a machine pays extra for certain quad combinations (like Aces), the priority for holding a single high card or a three-card straight flush shifts.
Updating strategy charts for the specific paytable is the only reliable way to maximize returns. Many modern apps and strategy cards let you choose the specific paytable variant and generate the correct hierarchy of choices.
Bankroll and variance considerations
Higher-paying paytables often come with higher variance. For example, machines that pay more for quads or royals produce larger individual wins but longer cold stretches. Understand your personal tolerance for volatility and size your bankroll accordingly.
A practical approach:
- For low-variance games (e.g., Jacks or Better 9/6), a conservative bankroll allows shorter sessions and less stress.
- For high-variance bonus games, increase your bankroll and prepare mentally for longer losing streaks between big hits.
Fairness, RNGs, and regulation
Reputable casinos and licensed online operators use certified random number generators (RNGs) and publish RTPs (return-to-player) based on paytables and software. Check licensing information and third-party audit reports for the operator you use. If you play online, look for independent certifications from authorities such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or government gaming commissions.
I always verify the operator’s transparency before committing significant time. A trustworthy operator will display the exact paytables for each video poker game and provide information about RNG certification.
Practical tips for live and online play
Here are field-tested tips that helped me reduce losses and make play more enjoyable:
- Read the paytable first. Never sit without confirming the payouts and the max-bet royal rule.
- Use strategy charts or a trusted app while learning. Memorize prioritized decisions for the most common situations.
- Play max coins on machines where the royal payout is disproportionately larger for a max bet — it’s often a requirement for the advertised RTP.
- Set session limits and avoid chasing losses. Video poker’s volatility can make minor deficits feel larger than they are.
- When in doubt, switch machines rather than pressing your luck on a marginal paytable.
Where to learn more and practice
Practice is the fastest route to competence. Use free-play modes on reputable sites and mobile apps. If you want live practice with transparent paytables and training features, check the game libraries of certified operators — and to make it easy, here’s a resource you can visit: paytable video poker. Play low stakes while following strategy charts until your decisions become automatic.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Players often make the same avoidable mistakes:
- Ignoring small paytable differences — a 1-coin reduction on Full House or Flush adds up.
- Not betting max when required for full royal payout — this eliminates the best part of the RTP in many games.
- Relying on gut feeling over strategy in high variance spots — consistent strategy reduces long-term loss.
A friend of mine once lost faith in video poker because he only played 8/5 machines while reading about 9/6 returns. Once he switched to a proper paytable and learned the right strategy, his results improved markedly. That’s a real-world reminder: a better paytable plus correct play matters more than any “system.”
Choosing the best machines in a casino or online
Scan the floor or game list for paytables before sitting. For online play, the software usually displays paytables in the game lobby. Prioritize:
- Full-pay variants with documented RTPs close to 99% or higher for optimal play.
- Machines with transparent max-bet royal requirements and clear payout tables.
- Licensed platforms providing RNG certification and audit reports.
Conclusion: Read the paytable, then play smart
Success in video poker is not about luck alone — it’s about picking the right paytable, using the correct strategy, and managing bankroll and emotions. Start every session by checking the paytable and confirming the royalty rules. If you want a quick reference or a place to practice different paytables and see how small changes affect returns, try this resource: paytable video poker. With a few hours of deliberate practice, you’ll be able to identify profitable games and make decisions that improve long-term outcomes.
Finally, remember that even perfect play can’t eliminate variance — but it can make your results predictable and much less costly. Make the paytable your first question at every machine, not an afterthought.
Author note: These recommendations come from long-term play, independent analysis, and reviewing published strategy results. They are intended to help you play more intelligently and enjoy video poker responsibly.
paytable video poker — check paytables, learn the right strategy, and play responsibly.
