Video Poker Pay Table Calculator: Find the Best Machines (2026)
Video Poker Pay Table Calculator: Find the Most Profitable Machines
Not all video poker machines are created equal. A single coin difference in a pay table can swing the house edge by 1-2%. Our free calculator analyzes any pay table to reveal the true payback percentage, helping you find the most profitable machines in any casino.
What Is a Video Poker Pay Table?
The pay table shows payouts for each winning hand combination. Unlike slots, where returns are hidden, video poker pay tables let you calculate exact expected returns—if you know what to look for.
Quick Answer: A "full pay" Jacks or Better machine (9/6) returns 99.54% with perfect strategy. A "short pay" version (8/5) returns only 97.30%. That 2.24% difference costs you $22.40 extra per $1,000 wagered. Always check the full house and flush payouts first.
How to Use Our Free Pay Table Calculator
Use the Video Poker Pay Table Calculator →
Enter the pay table from any machine to see its true expected return.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select Game Variant: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, etc.
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Enter Pay Table Values: Input payouts for each hand
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View Expected Return: See exact payback percentage
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Compare to Full Pay: Understand if this machine is worth playing
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Game Type | Video poker variant | Jacks or Better |
| Royal Flush | Payout per coin | 800 |
| Straight Flush | Payout per coin | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | Payout per coin | 25 |
| Full House | Payout per coin | 9 |
| Flush | Payout per coin | 6 |
Jacks or Better Pay Tables
Understanding 9/6 vs 8/5
The numbers refer to full house/flush payouts:
| Pay Table | Full House | Flush | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 (Full Pay) | 9 | 6 | 99.54% |
| 9/5 | 9 | 5 | 98.45% |
| 8/6 | 8 | 6 | 98.39% |
| 8/5 (Short Pay) | 8 | 5 | 97.30% |
| 7/5 | 7 | 5 | 96.15% |
| 6/5 | 6 | 5 | 95.00% |
Full Pay Jacks or Better (9/6)
| Hand | Coins 1-4 | Coin 5 (Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 5 |
Expected Return: 99.54% with optimal strategy
Deuces Wild Pay Tables
Full Pay Deuces Wild
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 800 |
| Four Deuces | 200 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 25 |
| Five of a Kind | 15 |
| Straight Flush | 9 |
| Four of a Kind | 5 |
| Full House | 3 |
| Flush | 2 |
| Straight | 2 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 |
Expected Return: 100.76% with optimal strategy (one of the few +EV casino games)
Common Deuces Wild Variations
| Variant | Key Difference | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Full Pay | Standard | 100.76% |
| Not So Ugly (NSUD) | Lower four deuces | 99.73% |
| Loose Deuces | Higher four deuces | 100.97% |
| Airport Deuces | Severely reduced | 94.34% |
Real-World Pay Table Analysis
Example 1: Casino Floor Comparison
Machine A (Labeled "Jacks or Better"):
- Full House: 8
- Flush: 5
- Return: 97.30%
Machine B (Also "Jacks or Better"):
- Full House: 9
- Flush: 6
- Return: 99.54%
Analysis: Machine B returns $22.40 more per $1,000 wagered. Over a year of casual play ($5,000), that's $112 saved.
Example 2: Bonus Poker Evaluation
Machine Shows:
- Four Aces: 80
- Four 2s-4s: 40
- Four 5s-Ks: 25
- Full House: 8
- Flush: 5
Calculator Result: 99.17% return
Decision: Better than short-pay Jacks or Better (97.30%) but worse than full-pay 9/6 (99.54%). Play only if 9/6 unavailable.
Example 3: Deceptive Marketing
Sign says: "Up to 100% return!"
Pay Table Shows:
- Full House: 6
- Flush: 5
Actual Return: 95.00%
Reality: Marketing refers to theoretical max, not this machine's actual return. This is a terrible pay table.
Why Pay Tables Matter
The Math of Differences
| Pay Table | Return | Cost per $1,000 | Cost per $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 JoB | 99.54% | $4.60 | $46 |
| 8/5 JoB | 97.30% | $27.00 | $270 |
| Difference | 2.24% | $22.40 | $224 |
Playing the wrong machine costs you $22.40 per $1,000 in action.
Comparing to Other Casino Games
| Game | House Edge | Return |
|---|---|---|
| 9/6 Jacks or Better | 0.46% | 99.54% |
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.50% | 99.50% |
| 8/5 Jacks or Better | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| Roulette (single zero) | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| Slots (typical) | 5-15% | 85-95% |
Full-pay video poker is among the best bets in the casino.
Finding Full Pay Machines
Where to Look
- Downtown Las Vegas: Better pay tables than the Strip
- Local Casinos: Compete for regular players
- Bars and Airports: Often have worse pay tables
- Online Casinos: Frequently offer full-pay versions
Search Strategy
- Walk the casino floor checking pay tables
- Look at full house/flush payouts first
- Use your phone's calculator app for quick checks
- Ask casino staff about their best machines
- Check vpFREE2 or similar databases for locations
Red Flags
- "Bonus" in the name doesn't mean better odds
- Progressive jackpots often have reduced base pay tables
- Penny machines usually have worse returns
- Machines near entrances often have short pay tables
Common Pay Table Mistakes
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Assuming All Machines Are Equal: A "Jacks or Better" machine can return anywhere from 94% to 99.54% depending on pay table.
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Ignoring Small Differences: 1% matters enormously over thousands of hands. Don't play 8/5 when 9/6 is available.
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Chasing Progressives: Unless the jackpot is significantly elevated, base pay table reductions usually aren't worth it.
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Playing Without Checking: Always check the full house and flush payouts before sitting down.
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Trusting Signage: "Best odds in town" is meaningless. Only the pay table tells the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best video poker game?
Full-pay Deuces Wild returns 100.76%—actually positive expectation with perfect play. Full-pay Jacks or Better (9/6) at 99.54% is the most commonly available good game.
Do I need perfect strategy to get these returns?
Yes, these percentages assume optimal play. Mistakes reduce your return. Learn basic strategy for your chosen variant, or use a strategy card while playing.
Are online video poker pay tables better?
Often yes. Online casinos have lower overhead and can offer full-pay or better games. Verify the pay table before playing.
Does bet size affect return percentage?
No, but playing max coins activates the bonus payout for royal flush (800-for-1 vs 250-for-1). Always bet 5 coins or play at a lower denomination machine.
How do I know if a machine is full pay?
Check the full house and flush payouts against known standards. For Jacks or Better, 9/6 is full pay. For Deuces Wild, look for 9/5 with 200 for four deuces.
What about multi-hand video poker?
Same pay table analysis applies—just multiply variance. Multi-hand at a bad pay table just loses money faster.
Strategy Changes by Pay Table
9/6 vs 8/5 Jacks or Better
Strategy differs slightly between pay tables. For example:
With a hand like: J♥ J♣ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥
- 9/6: Keep the pair of jacks (flush draw less valuable)
- 8/5: Hold four to the straight flush (pair less valuable with reduced full house payout)
Using correct strategy for your specific pay table maximizes returns.
Advanced Pay Table Concepts
Variance by Game Type
| Game | Return | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better 9/6 | 99.54% | Low |
| Bonus Poker | 99.17% | Medium |
| Double Bonus | 100.17% | High |
| Deuces Wild | 100.76% | Medium |
Higher variance = larger bankroll needed.
EV of Promotions
Some casinos offer promotions that push pay tables positive:
- Double points days
- Bounce-back cash
- Free play rewards
- Tournament entries
Factor these into total expected return.
Pro Tips for Pay Table Analysis
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Photograph Pay Tables: Build a personal database of good machines and their locations
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Use the "Quick Check": Full house payout tells you 80% of what you need to know
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Time Your Visits: Casinos sometimes change pay tables; verify each trip
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Join Players Clubs: Comps can add 0.2-0.5% to effective return
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Learn One Game Well: Master 9/6 Jacks or Better before moving to complex variants
Related Video Poker Calculators
- Video Poker Strategy Calculator - Optimal hold decisions
- Video Poker Variance Calculator - Bankroll requirements
- Video Poker Expected Value Calculator - Session expectations
- Deuces Wild Calculator - Wild card strategy
- Bonus Poker Calculator - Bonus hand analysis
Conclusion
Video poker offers some of the best odds in the casino—but only if you find the right machines. Our free pay table calculator reveals the true expected return of any machine, helping you avoid costly short-pay games and find the profitable full-pay versions.
Analyze Any Video Poker Pay Table Now →
The difference between a good and bad video poker machine isn't obvious from the outside. The pay table tells the whole story. Check it every time, and you'll consistently play the best games available while other players unknowingly donate extra money to the casino.
