Understanding video poker pay tables is the single most important skill for maximizing your returns, as it allows you to identify which machines offer the best odds and, consequently, the lowest house edge. Unlike slot machines, video poker is a game of skill where the pay table transparently displays the “price” of the game. 1. Understanding the Pay Table
The pay table shows how much the machine pays out for each winning hand based on a one-to-five coin bet. The most critical areas to check are the payouts for the Full House, Flush, and sometimes Four-of-a-Kind.
The “Full Pay” Game (⁄6 Jacks or Better): The highest-paying standard game is often called “⁄6” Jacks or Better, meaning it pays 9 credits for a Full House and 6 for a Flush (with a 1-coin bet). This offers a return of over 99.5% with optimal play.
“Short Pay” Games: Casinos often adjust the payouts for the Full House or Flush downward (e.g., ⁄5, ⁄5, or ⁄5). A ⁄5 machine has a significantly lower expected return than a ⁄6 machine, even though they look identical. Volatility:
Low Volatility: Games like Jacks or Better pay out more often on smaller hands (like two pair), providing longer playing time.
High Volatility: Games like Double Double Bonus Poker offer larger payouts for specific Four-of-a-Kind combinations but may only pay even money for two pair.
This video explains how to find the best paying video poker machines in a casino: