Video Poker Pay Table Analyzer
Analyze any video poker pay table to calculate expected return. Compare different machines and find the best games in your casino.
Formula:
Return = Σ (Hand Frequency × Payout)Expected Return
97.27%
House edge: 2.73%
Pay Table Rating
Poor
9/6 Jacks or Better
Key Payouts (Most Important)
for 1
9 = full pay
for 1
6 = full pay
Complete Pay Table
for 1
for 1
for 1
for 1
for 1
for 1
Return Contribution Breakdown
| Hand | Payout | Frequency | Return % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800:1 | 0.0003% | 0.20% |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 | 0.0011% | 0.06% |
| Four of a Kind | 25:1 | 0.2360% | 5.90% |
| Full House | 9:1 | 1.1510% | 10.36% |
| Flush | 6:1 | 1.1020% | 6.61% |
| Straight | 4:1 | 1.1230% | 4.49% |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 | 7.4450% | 22.34% |
| Two Pair | 2:1 | 12.9280% | 25.86% |
| Jacks or Better | 1:1 | 21.4590% | 21.46% |
| Total Return | 97.27% | ||
Comparison to Standard Pay Tables
| Pay Table | Return | House Edge | vs Yours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your Pay Table (9/6) | 97.27% | 2.73% | — |
| 9/6 Full Pay | 99.54% | 0.46% | -2.27% |
| 9/5 | 98.45% | 1.55% | -1.18% |
| 8/6 | 98.39% | 1.61% | -1.12% |
| 8/5 | 97.30% | 2.70% | -0.03% |
| 7/5 | 96.15% | 3.85% | +1.12% |
Pay Table Rating Guide
Excellent
≥99.5%
Good
98.5-99.5%
Fair
97.5-98.5%
Poor
96-97.5%
Avoid
<96%
Quick Answer
A 9/6 pay table (9 for full house, 6 for flush) returns 99.54%. Reducing to 8/5 costs 2.24% in return - on $1000 wagered, you'd lose an extra $22.4. Always check the full house and flush payouts first.
Key Facts
- ✓9/6 is "full pay" Jacks or Better - 99.54% return
- ✓8/5 is most common in casinos - 97.30% return
- ✓Each point reduction in Full House costs ~1.1%
- ✓Each point reduction in Flush costs ~1.1%
- ✓On $3000/hour wagered, 8/5 vs 9/6 costs $67/hour extra
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pay table in video poker?▼
A pay table shows the payout for each winning hand. In Jacks or Better, the key numbers are the Full House and Flush payouts. A "9/6" machine pays 9 coins for Full House and 6 for Flush. These two numbers determine 90%+ of the return difference between machines.
How do I find the best video poker pay tables?▼
Look at the Full House and Flush payouts first. For Jacks or Better: 9/6 = 99.54%, 9/5 = 98.45%, 8/6 = 98.39%, 8/5 = 97.30%. The difference matters: playing $750/hour on 8/5 vs 9/6 costs $16.80/hour in expected loss. Check vpFREE2 for local machine surveys.
Why does the Royal Flush payout matter less than other hands?▼
The Royal Flush occurs only once per ~40,000 hands, so its payout contributes only ~2% to total return. The Full House (1 in 87) and Flush (1 in 90) hit much more often, so their payouts have 5x more impact on your actual results. Always prioritize finding 9/6 over progressive royals.
What makes Double Bonus pay tables different?▼
Double Bonus games have bonus payouts for different Four of a Kind hands (80 for Aces, 50 for 2-3-4, 25 for 5-K). The tradeoff is reduced Full House and Flush (usually 10/7 or 9/7). This increases variance - you'll see bigger swings. 10/7 Double Bonus returns 100.17% but requires perfect strategy.
Try These Examples
Quick-start with common scenarios
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).
Expected Return
97.27%
House edge: 2.73%
Pay Table Rating
Poor
9/6 Jacks or Better