Strategy for Winning at Video Poker: Understanding Paytables and Payouts

Video poker is not just about luck—it’s a game where the choices you make can directly influence your chances of winning. One of the critical aspects of developing a winning strategy is understanding how paytables work and how they relate to payouts. In this article, we’ll break down the importance of paytables, show you how to analyze them, and offer tips on how to maximize your returns by playing smart.

What Are Paytables in Video Poker?

A paytable in video poker is a chart that outlines the payouts for different winning hands. Each variation of video poker has its own paytable, which can slightly or drastically affect your long-term returns. The paytable shows the number of coins or credits you’ll receive based on your bet and the strength of your hand.

The value of a video poker machine is determined by its paytable. The better the paytable, the more favorable the game is to the player. This is why experienced players carefully examine paytables before sitting down at any machine—both in land-based and online casinos.

How to Read a Paytable

Let’s look at a typical paytable for Jacks or Better, one of the most popular versions of video poker. Below is a simplified example:

As you can see, the payouts increase as you bet more coins, but the biggest jump is at the Royal Flush level, where a 5-coin bet offers a significantly larger payout (4000 coins) compared to a 1-coin bet (250 coins). This structure encourages players to wager the maximum number of coins to get the best payout for top-tier hands.

Key Insights from the Paytable

1. Max Coins Bet for Max Returns:
   The jump from a 4-coin bet to a 5-coin bet for a Royal Flush is dramatic. Most experienced players always bet the maximum number of coins (typically 5) because the Royal Flush payout can be 10 times higher when playing max coins. If you’re not betting max coins, you’re missing out on the largest possible payout.
2. Full Pay vs. Short Pay Machines:
   In video poker, a “full pay” machine is one that offers the best possible paytable, typically with a high payout for a full house and a flush. For example, a full pay Jacks or Better machine offers 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush, which is why it’s sometimes called a 9/6 machine. In contrast, a short pay machine might offer 8 coins for a full house and 5 coins for a flush, reducing the player’s overall returns over time. In the long run, playing on a full pay machine is far more profitable. The difference between a full pay machine and a short pay machine can add up to a significant amount of money if you’re playing over the course of hours, days, or weeks.
3. House Edge and Expected Return:
   The paytable affects the house edge—the built-in advantage that casinos have over players. The house edge in video poker varies depending on the game and its paytable. For instance, a full pay Jacks or Better machine offers a house edge as low as 0.46%, which is among the best in any casino. However, if you’re playing on a short pay machine, the house edge could increase to 2% or more, dramatically affecting your long-term returns. The expected return is the amount of money you can expect to win back for every dollar wagered, and it’s closely tied to the house edge. A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine has an expected return of 99.54%, which means you can expect to win back $99.54 for every $100 wagered in the long term. Short pay machines reduce this expected return, making them less favorable for serious players.

Strategy Tips for Maximizing Payouts

1. Always Play Max Coins:
   As mentioned earlier, the Royal Flush payout is significantly higher when playing the maximum number of coins. If your budget doesn’t allow for 5-coin bets, consider playing at a lower denomination machine (e.g., 25¢ instead of $1) to ensure you can still bet max coins.
2. Choose Full Pay Machines:
   Always look for machines with the best paytables. This can be especially important when playing online, where casinos often offer a wide range of video poker variations. Do a bit of research or use casino guides to identify which games have full paytables.
3. Use Strategy Charts:
   While video poker is a game of chance, there is a significant element of skill involved. Strategy charts show you the mathematically correct decisions to make based on the cards you’re dealt. For example, if you’re dealt a hand with a pair of Jacks, a high card, and two low cards, a strategy chart would tell you to hold onto the pair of Jacks rather than chase a straight or flush. By using strategy charts, you can reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning in the long term. These charts are available for different video poker variations, so be sure to use the chart specific to the game you’re playing.
4. Pay Attention to Bonus Payouts:
   Some video poker variations, like Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus Poker, offer enhanced payouts for specific hands, particularly four-of-a-kind hands. While these games may have slightly higher volatility (more ups and downs), the potential for bigger payouts can make them more exciting for players looking for higher rewards.
5. Avoid Short Pay Machines:
   Short pay machines might be tempting because they often appear to offer higher payouts for lower hands, like two pairs or three-of-a-kind. However, these machines come with reduced payouts for higher hands, making them less favorable in the long run. Stick with full pay machines whenever possible.

Progressive Video Poker Machines

Another variation of video poker is the progressive jackpot version. In these games, a small portion of every bet contributes to a growing jackpot, which is awarded to a player who hits a specific hand—usually a Royal Flush. The more people play, the larger the jackpot becomes. While progressive video poker offers the potential for life-changing payouts, it also comes with higher volatility, and the base paytable might be slightly less favorable than non-progressive games.

Final Thoughts

Winning at video poker is not just about luck—it’s about making informed decisions. By understanding how paytables work, choosing full pay machines, and sticking to optimal strategy, you can reduce the house edge and give yourself the best chance of walking away a winner. Remember, the small decisions you make in each hand can add up to a significant difference in your long-term success.

When playing video poker, patience and discipline are key. Stick to your strategy, choose the right machines, and you’ll not only improve your chances of winning but also enjoy a more rewarding gaming experience.