What's the big deal? It's just video poker, right? You get five cards, pick which ones to throw away, the game deals you some more cards to replace those, and if you got good enough cards, you win some money. Shoot, you can even see the payouts, right on the machine... That's the paytable, and it makes all the difference in the world. It's just as important as playing optimally. This guide will help you understand paytables, choose good games, and introduce you to a basic strategy (optimum play). It will also explain things like RTP, variance, and bankroll management. Only play where it is legal. Only play if you are of legal age. Always set limits, get help if you need it.
Video poker is an electronic game which is closely related to five card draw poker. The machine is equipped with a random number generator (RNG) which deals hands from a normal 52 card deck. Each hand is different from the last. When a hand is dealt, you can hold any mix of cards. A second draw occurs to replace discarded cards. The value of your final five card hand determines the payout from the machine as shown on the video poker screen. Two video poker machines can look identical, but offer wildly different paytables. For example, a game labelled “Jacks or Better” might offer a 9/6 payout, which is the best … or an abysmal 8/5 payout, which is one of the worst. With correct strategy, higher payout paytables give a higher return to player (RTP) and thus a lower house edge. A short-pay paytable can reduce returns by 1% to 4% or even more which is a significant difference in the long run.
Two machines can look the same, but pay very different. This is because the paytable is not always the same. One “Jacks or Better” game can pay 9/6 (best) and another can pay 8/5 (worse). With perfect play, a good paytable means higher return to player (RTP) and a lower house edge. A bad (short-pay) table can cut your return by 1–4% or more. That is huge over time.
A paytable is a chart that shows how much each hand pays. It often has five columns for 1 to 5 coins. You should play 5 coins if you can. The reason is the Royal Flush bonus. With 5 coins, a Royal usually pays 4,000 coins total (800 per coin). With 1 coin, it is often only 250 coins. That bonus changes the RTP a lot.
Full-pay game: The paytable is the most favorable (for the player) version commonly found on that game. Short-pay game: The paytable is less favorable and pays fewer coins on some winning hands, like when a game that should pay 10 for a small straight only pays 8.
Full-pay means the paytable is the best common version for that game. Short-pay means the casino cut some pays, so the return is lower.
RTP (return to player) is the long-run share that comes back to players if they use optimal strategy. House edge is 100% minus RTP. Note: this is an average over a very long time and many hands. Real sessions can be up or down a lot.
Sources I trust: Wizard of Odds video poker portal, VPFree2 (user-submitted paytable numbers), and the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Center for Gaming Research.
By “optimal” I mean that if you’re dealt a particular hand, you hold whatever maximizes your expected value (EV). EV is basically what you’d expect to win, on average, if you played that hand an infinite number of times. Optimal strategy varies depending on the game you’re playing and what the paytable is. The optimal way to play a hand might be different in 9/6 JoB and 8/5 JoB. It will almost certainly be different in JoB and Deuces Wild.
Optimal play means: for every starting hand, you choose the hold that gives the highest expected value (EV). EV is the average return if you could repeat that same spot forever. The best hold changes by game and paytable. A play that is best in 9/6 JoB may not be best in 8/5 JoB or in Deuces Wild.
A strategy chart is an ordered list of holds from strongest to weakest. You match your hand to the first line that fits. For Jacks or Better, a simple version looks like this (short form):
Do not trust memory only. Use a trainer to practice. Good free tools: the Wizard of Odds Video Poker Trainer and the practice area at VideoPoker.com. These help you see mistakes and fix leaks.
Goal: make a pair of Jacks or better to get paid. Look for 9/6 paytable (Full House 9, Flush 6). With perfect play, RTP is about 99.54%. It has lower variance, so swings are milder. This is a great first game to learn. See full charts and math at Wizard of Odds.
Bonus Poker boosts pays for some Four of a Kind hands. The common “8/5 Bonus” version returns about 99.17% with perfect play. Strategy is close to Jacks or Better, but some holds shift due to the bonus payouts. Avoid 6/5 versions if you can.
Double Double Bonus (DDB) has big pays for Aces with a “kicker.” This is fun but swingy. The common 9/6 DDB pays about 98.98% with perfect play. Expect long dry spells and then big hits. Your bankroll should be larger. Strategy is different from JoB. Use a trainer for DDB before you risk money.
In Deuces Wild, all twos are wild. That changes many holds. The best common version (NSU Deuces) returns about 99.73%. Full-Pay Deuces can even be over 100%, but they are rare today. Strategy is not like JoB at all. You will often keep three-card straight flush draws and break pairs in spots that feel odd. Train first.
Joker Poker uses a joker as a wild card. Paytables vary a lot. Some pay on Kings or Better. Always check the table and the rules. Strategy changes with the number of wilds and the pay lines. Use a trusted chart for your exact version.
Always play 5 coins. If the machine is $1 per coin and that is too high, pick a $0.25 machine so you can afford 5 coins. The Royal bonus on 5 coins is key for good RTP.
Bankroll ideas (not promises, just general guides):
Casino rewards (comps) and cashback can add 0.1%–1% to your return. This helps, but does not fix a bad paytable. Track offers and posted RTP. Learn more about fairness and RNG testing from labs like GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) and iTech Labs.
Do not sit down fast. Read the screen. Check Full House and Flush pays. Check the Royal on 5 coins is 4,000. Look at nearby machines too. Sometimes one bank has 9/6 and the next has 8/5. Ask a floor person if paytables differ by denomination. Use crowd reports at VPFree2 as a starting point, then verify in person.
If you play online, check the site license and the software provider. Good sites show RTP, paytables, and testing seals. You can read about fair play rules from the UK Gambling Commission and see a list of testing labs like GLI or iTech Labs. Always review posted RTP and compare to trusted tables.
If you want a simple list to compare paytables and posted RTP before you play, this guide on gambling keeps plain, up-to-date notes on software, paytable snapshots, and payout rules. Use it to avoid short-pay versions and to pick games that fit your style. Still, always check the paytable on your screen before you bet.
That means the Full House pays 9-for-1 and the Flush pays 6-for-1. This is the “full-pay” version and has a return of 99.54% with optimal strategy. See details at Wizard of Odds.
It means the Full House pays 9-for-1 and the Flush pays 6-for-1. This version is “full-pay” and returns about 99.54% with perfect play. See details at Wizard of Odds.
Yes, if you can. The Royal Flush pays a big bonus at 5 coins (usually 4,000 coins). At 1–4 coins, the Royal pays far less per coin. This bonus boosts your long-run return.
No. Each deal is from a fresh, full, random deck by the RNG. There is no memory. Counting does not work. See fairness basics from the UK Gambling Commission and testing labs like GLI.
When a progressive Royal grows, your best plays shift to chase the Royal a bit more. The exact changes depend on the jackpot size and the paytable. Use a trainer that supports progressives or see math guides at Wizard of Odds.
Start with 9/6 Jacks or Better. It has a clear chart, a high RTP with perfect play, and lower variance. Train first, then play for real with 5 coins at a stake you can afford.
Look at the Full House and Flush lines. In JoB, anything under 9/6 is short-pay. Also scan Straight, Three of a Kind, and Two Pair. Compare with a trusted table from Wizard of Odds.
High variance. You will miss a lot, then hit big quads with kickers at times. Bring a bigger bankroll. Expect bigger swings than in Jacks or Better.
They can be if licensed and tested. Look for posted RTP, public paytables, and seals from labs like iTech Labs or GLI. Play only on legal, regulated sites.
Data in this guide comes from trusted sources and public math. Key references:
Methodology: We compared common paytables to published tables and RTP on Wizard of Odds. We explain RTPs as ranges when versions vary by maker or region. Strategy notes are aligned to the named paytables. Always match your exact game to the exact chart before use. Last reviewed: [Month] [Year].
About the author: This guide is written by a video poker analyst who tests paytables and strategies in free trainers before publishing advice. We aim for plain, helpful language. This is education, not financial advice. We do not promise wins. Gambling has risk.
Here is the core idea: the paytable sets your long-term return. Learn to read it, choose full-pay when you can, and use optimal strategy. Always bet 5 coins at a stake you can afford. Practice with a trainer. Check that the site or casino is fair and legal. Play for fun. If you need help, reach out to NCPG or BeGambleAware right away.
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