RTP does not fully reflect the best possible returns an online video poker game can offer. To find out the best odds and payouts a game has to offer, search for video poker pay tables.
In this casino guide, we compare the full-pay and short-pay tables of different video poker games so you can pick the best variant for your gaming objective.
Video Poker Pay Tables: Full-Pay vs Short-Pay and RTP Guide
Video Poker is one of the main poker variants you can play online. A video poker pay table shows how much each winning hand pays for a specific coin bet. And you can find it in most online game variants.
It is important to know the structure of a video poker payout table because it affects a game’s RTP (return-to-player) and variance. If a game reduces the payout for flush or full-house hands, the RTP drops.
For example, if one variant pays 6:1 for a flush and another pays 5:1, the video poker payout percentage (RTP) drops by approximately 1.1% due to that single line difference.
Reading Notation on Video Poker Pay Tables
To read a video poker payout chart, you have to understand its notation, which is a shorthand for the two most variable payout hands (full house and flush). For example, “9/6 JoB” denotes Jacks or Better rules with 9 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush per coin bet.
Royal flush pays 800 coins per coin bet when you play the maximum 5 coins, which yields 4,000 coins total. But playing anything from 1 to 4 coins drops that top prize to just 250 per coin bet, drastically reducing your return. Therefore, it is vital to learn the optimal plays for each pay table.
Popular Video Poker Pay Tables
Deuces Wild: Full Pay vs Not-So-Ugly (NSUD)
Deuces Wild gameplay is one of the games that gives you the most fun. Here is a comparison of the most common Deuces Wild video poker pay tables.
| Hand | Full Pay (5 Coins) | NSUD (5 Coins) |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 4000 | 4000 |
| Four Deuces | 1000 | 1000 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 125 | 125 |
| Five of a Kind | 75 | 80 |
| Straight Flush | 45 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 20 |
| Full House | 15 | 20 |
| Flush | 10 | 15 |
| Straight | 10 | 10 |
| Three of a Kind | 5 | 5 |
| RTP using optimal strategy | 100.76% | 99.73% |
Bonus Poker: 8/5 vs 7/5 Paytable
| Hands | 8/5: (5 Coins) | 7/5: (5 Coins) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 250 |
| Four Aces | 400 | 400 |
| Four 2–4 | 200 | 200 |
| Four 5–K | 125 | 125 |
| Full House | 40 | 35 |
| Flush | 25 | 25 |
| Straight | 20 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 10 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 | 5 |
| RTP using optimal strategy | 99.17% | 98.01% |
Double Bonus: 10/7 vs 9/7 Paytable
| Hand | 10/7 (5 coins) | 9/7 (5 coins) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 250 |
| Four Aces | 800 | 800 |
| Four 2-4 | 400 | 400 |
| Four 5-K | 250 | 250 |
| Full House | 50 | 45 |
| Flush | 35 | 35 |
| Straight | 25 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 5 | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 | 5 |
| RTP (Optimal Strategy) | 100.17% | 99.11% |
Double Double Bonus: 10/6 vs 9/6 Paytable
| Hand | 10/6: (5 Coins) | 9/6: (5 Coins) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 250 |
| Four Aces + 2-4 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Four Aces + 5-K | 800 | 800 |
| Four 2-4 + A-4 | 800 | 800 |
| Four 2-4 + 5-K | 400 | 400 |
| Four 5-K | 250 | 250 |
| Full House | 50 | 45 |
| Flush | 30 | 30 |
| Straight | 20 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 5 | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 | 5 |
| RTP using optimal strategy | 100.07% | 98.98% |
Check out our Double Double Bonus Poker tips to play correctly.
Joker Poker: Full-Pay vs Short-Pay
| Hand | Kings or Better Full Pay: (5 Coins) | Short Pay (5 Coins) |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Royal | 4000 | 4000 |
| Five of a Kind | 1000 | 1000 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 500 | 500 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 100 | 90 |
| Full House | 35 | 35 |
| Flush | 25 | 25 |
| Straight | 15 | 15 |
| Three of a Kind | 10 | 10 |
| Two Pair | 5 | 5 |
| Kings or Better | 5 | 5 |
| RTP using optimal strategy | 100.64% | 98.93% |
Impact of Progressives and Multipliers on Video Poker Pay Tables
Progressive jackpots and multipliers are two features in video poker, given the game’s slot-like elements.
When a video poker game features progressive jackpots, players contribute to a shared pool, boosting top payouts. This can yield RTP that temporarily exceeds 100% for a royal flush.
On the other hand, multipliers, in games like Ultimate X (multi-line), offer additional bonuses for winning hands. However, while this increases potential returns, it can also increase volatility.
Calculating Bankroll and Expected Loss Based on Video Poker Pay Tables
While video poker pay tables offer good payouts, remember it is still a casino game. You are not immune to loss. Let’s use a quarter Jacks or Better machine as an example:
Bet: 5 coins × $0.25 = $1.25 per hand
Speed: 500 hands per hour
| Pay Table | RTP | Expected Loss per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| 9/6 JoB | 99.54% | $2.88/hr |
| 9/5 JoB | 98.45% | $9.63/hr |
How To Find Good Video Poker Pay Tables In Real Life
Follow these steps to find the best video poker pay tables at any time:
- Play at an online casino with verified payouts for its video poker payout games. Some platforms have live data.
- Review games by checking the video poker payout chart before inserting your credit.
- Scan machines for full-pay notations, such as 9/6 JoB, FPDW, and 8/5 Bonus Poker.
When you find the best pay tables, make sure you play with a strategy. Find the best ones, such as the Aces and Faces strategy.
FAQs
What is full-pay video poker?
Full-pay video poker is the version offering the maximum theoretical return based on optimal play and top-tier payouts.
How to read video poker pay tables?
Identify the payout ratio for full house and flush (e.g., 9/6), and note the royal flush value at max coins.
Which video poker pay table has the best payout?
Full-Pay Deuces Wild (100.76% RTP) ranks among the highest when played optimally.
What’s the difference between full-pay and short-pay video poker?
Short-pay versions reduce one or more hand payouts, cutting the overall RTP.
How can I find full-pay video poker machines online?
Look for casinos that publish verified RTPs or use trusted online video poker databases.
How does the pay table affect the RTP in video poker?
Every payout value contributes to the total return; lowering any line reduces the expected percentage.
Do different video poker games use different pay tables?
Yes, each variant (JoB, Deuces Wild, Bonus) has its own optimal pay structure and volatility.
Why does the royal flush payout matter so much?
It heavily influences total return since it contributes several percent of the overall RTP.
Should I always play max coins on video poker?
Yes, to unlock the full 800-coin royal flush payout and maximize long-term returns.