Understanding Video Poker Payouts
Video poker machines might seem simple, but the key to winning lies in their pay tables. While most games share a similar five-card draw format, their payouts for winning combinations can vary significantly. Knowing these differences is crucial for maximizing your video poker odds. Let's examine the pay tables for the most common variations.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Pay Table
Jacks or Better is the classic video poker game and a great starting point for new players. The goal is to get a pair of Jacks or a better hand. The most favorable version is the 9/6 machine, named for its payout on a Full House (9 coins) and a Flush (6 coins).
| Hand | 1 Coin Bet | 2 Coins Bet | 3 Coins Bet | 4 Coins Bet | 5 Coins Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 3 of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine is known as a 'full pay' video poker game because it offers the best possible odds, with a theoretical payback percentage of over 99.5% with optimal play.
Be aware of other variations like 8/5 or 7/5 machines, which offer lower payouts and reduce your long-term winning potential. Always seek out the 9/6 pay table for the best value.
Deuces Wild Video Poker Pay Table
In Deuces Wild, all four '2' cards are wild, substituting for any other card to create a winning hand. This introduces more winning combinations and a different strategy. The full-pay version of this game is even more generous than Jacks or Better.
| Hand | 1 Coin Bet | 2 Coins Bet | 3 Coins Bet | 4 Coins Bet | 5 Coins Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush (Natural) | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| 4 Deuces | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| Royal Flush (Wild) | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| 5 of a Kind | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 75 |
| Straight Flush | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| 4 of a Kind | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Full House | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Flush | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Straight | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 of a Kind | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
With optimal strategy, a full-pay Deuces Wild machine can offer a payback percentage slightly over 100.7%. This makes it one of the best video poker games available, though a poor strategy can drop the payback significantly.
Bonus Poker Pay Table
Bonus Poker games are similar to Jacks or Better but offer enhanced video poker payouts for specific Four of a Kind hands. The most popular variant is Double Double Bonus Poker, which has the following pay table.
| Hand | 1 Coin Bet | 2 Coin Bet | 3 Coin Bet | 4 Coin Bet | 5 Coin Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four Aces w/ 2, 3, 4 | 400 | 800 | 1200 | 1600 | 2000 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s w/ Ace | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
| Four Aces | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| Four 5s thru Kings | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Similar to Jacks or Better, you should look for a 9/6 Bonus Poker machine, which offers a payback of over 99.6%. A rare 10/7 version exists that pushes the return over 100%.
The Mathematical Odds in Video Poker
Understanding the probability of hitting each hand is key to making the best decisions. Stronger hands are naturally rarer. While exact odds vary slightly between game types, the general probabilities for a standard 52-card deck game are consistent.
| Video Poker Hand | Odds |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 649,740 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 72,193 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 4,165 to 1 |
| Full House | 694 to 1 |
| Flush | 509 to 1 |
| Straight | 255 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 47 to 1 |
| Two Pairs | 21 to 1 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 7.7 to 1 |
| Any Pair | 2.4 to 1 |
These numbers represent long-term averages. Due to the Random Number Generator (RNG), you are never 'due' for a win. You could hit a Royal Flush on your first hand or go a million hands without one.
Are Video Poker Pay Tables Worth Learning?
Absolutely. Video poker pay tables are your roadmap to profitability. They are simple charts that show you exactly how much each hand pays. By comparing them, you can identify the best machines and develop a game strategy that maximizes your potential return.
Taking the time to memorize the payouts for your favorite games is one of the smartest moves a video poker player can make. It transforms you from a casual player hoping for luck into a skilled player making calculated decisions based on the best possible casino game odds.
