A solid video poker strategy starts long before you decide which cards to hold — it begins the moment you choose which machine to sit down at. Unlike slot machines, video poker displays its full pay table openly, giving skilled players a rare opportunity to calculate the exact return they can expect. Understanding pay tables is the single most impactful skill you can develop, because two machines with identical names can have wildly different odds depending on their payouts.
In this guide, we break down how pay tables work, which variants offer the best returns, the mistakes that cost players money, and how to apply advanced video poker strategy to consistently choose games that favour you as much as possible.
Why Pay Tables Are the Foundation of Every Video Poker Strategy
Every video poker game is built on a random number generator (RNG), which means the card distribution is fair and unpredictable. What isn’t random is the payout assigned to each winning hand — and that’s where casinos control their edge. The difference between a “full pay” machine and a “short pay” machine can be worth several percentage points of return to player (RTP), which translates directly into pounds or dollars over a session.
For example, in the most popular variant, Jacks or Better, the difference between a 9/6 machine (paying 9-for-1 on a Full House, 6-for-1 on a Flush) and a 6/5 machine is enormous. The 9/6 version returns approximately 99.54% with optimal play, while a 6/5 version drops to around 95%. That’s a 4.5% difference — essentially a hidden tax on uninformed players.
- Full House and Flush payouts are the fastest way to identify a machine’s quality — these hands hit frequently enough to matter.
- RTP varies by variant — Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus all have different “full pay” benchmarks.
- Casino floor placement matters — short-pay machines are often placed in high-traffic areas to catch casual players.
- Online casinos often offer full-pay variants that land-based casinos reserve for high-limit rooms — making online play advantageous for strategic players.
How to Read a Video Poker Pay Table in Seconds
When you approach any video poker machine, the first thing to do is check the pay table displayed at the top of the screen. For Jacks or Better, focus immediately on the Full House and Flush rows — these two numbers tell you almost everything you need to know. A 9/6 machine is your target; anything below 9/5 is worth walking away from.
For Deuces Wild, the key numbers are the payouts for Five of a Kind, Straight Flush, and Four Deuces. A “Full Pay” Deuces Wild machine pays 15-for-1 on Five of a Kind, 9-for-1 on a Straight Flush, and 25-for-1 on Four Deuces — delivering an RTP of over 100.76% with perfect strategy. Any reduction to these payouts pushes the return below 99%, significantly changing your expected results.
The Most Important Pay Table Variations to Know
Different video poker variants have their own “full pay” benchmarks. Learning these benchmarks for the games you prefer is a core part of any serious video poker strategy. Below are the most commonly found variants and what separates a good pay table from a bad one.
- Jacks or Better (9/6): The gold standard. Target 9-for-1 on Full House, 6-for-1 on Flush. RTP ≈ 99.54% with optimal play.
- Deuces Wild (Full Pay): Look for 15/9/25 payouts on Five of a Kind, Straight Flush, Four Deuces. RTP can exceed 100.76%.
- Double Bonus Poker (10/7): Pays 10-for-1 Full House, 7-for-1 Flush. RTP ≈ 100.17% — one of the best full-pay games available.
- Double Double Bonus (9/6): Features bonus payouts for specific Four of a Kind hands. Full pay returns approximately 98.98%.
- Joker Poker: Pay tables vary significantly; look for Kings or Better variants paying at least 7-for-1 on a Full House for a competitive RTP.
To verify the fairness of RNG-based games at reputable online casinos, look for sites audited by independent testing labs. eCOGRA publishes monthly payout reports for certified operators, giving players an extra layer of confidence when choosing where to play. You can also check our full casino reviews to see which operators have passed independent testing standards.
Common Mistakes Players Make When Choosing Pay Tables
Even players with strong hand-selection instincts lose money by ignoring the pay table before they sit down. The most damaging mistake is focusing on bonuses, themes, or machine aesthetics rather than the underlying maths. A casino bonus worth £50 is easily outweighed by a 4% RTP difference if you’re playing for any meaningful session length.
Another frequent error is assuming all machines in a casino pay the same. Casinos routinely mix full-pay and short-pay machines on the same floor — sometimes side by side. Taking 60 seconds to compare the pay tables before inserting your money is one of the highest-value habits you can build.
- Never assume a “Jacks or Better” label guarantees a 9/6 pay table — always verify the numbers.
- Avoid playing variants you haven’t studied — each game requires a different optimal strategy card.
- Don’t ignore denomination differences — a 9/6 quarter machine often offers better EV than a 6/5 dollar machine.
- Beware of progressive jackpot machines — the base pay table is usually reduced to fund the jackpot, cutting your regular return.
Applying Advanced Video Poker Strategy to Maximise RTP
Finding a full-pay machine is only half the battle — you must also play each hand correctly to realise the theoretical RTP. Strategy cards (also called “cheat sheets”) list the optimal hold decision for every possible five-card deal. These are legal to use in most land-based casinos and are freely available online for every major variant. Memorising even the top 20 most common situations significantly reduces your house edge.
Online video poker offers an additional advantage: you can play in a relaxed environment, refer to a strategy card on a second screen, and take your time without social pressure. Our curated list of best online casinos highlights platforms where high-RTP video poker is readily available across both desktop and mobile. Practising in free-play mode before wagering real money is also strongly recommended — it lets you internalise the strategy without financial risk.
Bankroll management is equally important. Even a 99.54% RTP game involves variance — short-term losing streaks are normal and expected. The UK Gambling Commission advises players to set strict session budgets and never chase losses. A disciplined approach protects your bankroll long enough for the maths to work in your favour.
Finding the Best Pay Tables at Online Casinos in 2026
Online casinos have made finding full-pay video poker significantly easier than trawling a casino floor. Many reputable platforms list the RTP of each game variant in the game information panel — look for the ℹ️ icon or “Game Info” tab before you play. Software providers like IGT, Microgaming, and NetEnt publish standard pay tables across their video poker suites, making it straightforward to identify the best-returning games.
Always confirm that an online casino holds a valid licence from a recognised authority before depositing. Licensed operators undergo regular audits that protect your funds and ensure fair game outcomes. If you’re ever unsure whether gambling is becoming a concern, free confidential support is available through BeGambleAware. We also maintain a regularly updated directory at clickwins.net/reviews/ highlighting only licensed, trustworthy platforms.
Final Thoughts on Video Poker Strategy
A strong video poker strategy is built on two pillars: choosing a full-pay machine and playing every hand with optimal decisions. Neglect either pillar and you’re giving money away unnecessarily. The good news is that both skills are learnable — pay table reading takes minutes, and strategy cards do the heavy lifting for hand decisions.
Ready to apply these strategies at a trusted casino? Browse our full casino reviews and our curated list of best online casinos to find a safe, licensed platform that meets your needs.
Before you play a single hand, spend 60 seconds checking the Full House and Flush payouts on any Jacks or Better machine. If you don’t see 9/6, keep looking — full-pay machines exist at reputable online casinos even when they’re rare on the casino floor, and that difference in RTP compounds quickly over a real session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video poker game for beginners?
Jacks or Better with a 9/6 pay table is widely considered the best starting point for beginners. It has the simplest strategy, a well-documented optimal play chart, and one of the highest RTPs available at approximately 99.54% — making it both forgiving and rewarding as you learn.
How do I find a full-pay video poker machine online?
Open the game and look for an “Info,” “Paytable,” or “Help” section — most legitimate online casinos display the full pay schedule and RTP there. For Jacks or Better, confirm the Full House pays 9-for-1 and the Flush pays 6-for-1 before wagering real money. Reputable platforms also list per-game RTPs in their responsible gaming or game information pages.
Can video poker strategy guarantee a profit?
No strategy can guarantee a profit — all casino games involve variance, and even full-pay machines with 99%+ RTP can produce losing sessions. Strategy minimises the house edge and maximises your expected return over time, but gambling should always be treated as entertainment rather than income. If you feel your gambling is getting out of control, free help is available at BeGambleAware.
Is it legal to use a strategy card while playing video poker?
Yes — using a printed or digital strategy card is legal and widely accepted in most land-based casinos around the world. Video poker is a game of skill, and casinos openly acknowledge that players may reference strategy guides. Online, you can keep a strategy chart open on a second tab or screen without any restriction whatsoever.