Reading Video Poker Pay Tables

2 March 2024

By Jerry Stickman

From Greg:

Hello Stickman,

You state in your article (re. Video poker) that you never play video poker unless there is a 98% return. Are there still machines out there that have this return? I usually play in Biloxi, (IP or Boomtown) or Vegas (MGM or Caesar’s’ properties) and cannot find them.
I use the payout ratio of full house to flush to determine this outcome. Am I wrong? Also are there any deuces wild machines at those locations that pay better than 4/3?
Thank you for your answer and time.
Greg

Hi Greg,
I have not played in Biloxi for quite some time, so I am unaware of the returns for video poker there. I have, however, played in Vegas and Tunica very recently. I can say for sure, that as of my trip, full-pay Jacks or Better games are available. I very much doubt, however, that any MGM or Caesar's properties have any - except perhaps in the high limit room.

You can check the inventory at casinos in many areas on the vpfree2.com website - Go here: https://www.vpfree2.com/casinos/search .

I consulted this website the last time I visited Las Vegas. While much of the information was accurate, I was unable to find full-pay Jacks or Better at some of the casinos that were listed as having them. Video poker inventory changes quickly and without notice, so check carefully.

Concerning what to check in pay tables to determine the return, here are some guidelines.

Jacks or Better class games (Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus poker, and Double-Double Bonus Poker), the casino normally only changes the pay lines for the full house and flush – normally, but not always. Pay tables for Deuces Wild games can – and often do – have many of the pay lines changed.

As a rule of thumb, it MIGHT BE okay to just check the pays for full house and flush for Jacks or Better class games – might be. It is never okay to check just the pays for full house and flush on Deuces Wild games (or any wild-card video poker game).

To be safe, check the entire pay table on any game you are considering (and make sure the pay table you are looking at is for the game you think it is by looking on the screen for the name of the game). More than one person I know has checked the pay table of what they thought was a jacks or better game when, in reality, it was something else.

Remember, any pay line could be changed including royal flush, straight flush, etc. Only by checking every line of the pay table will you know your return information is correct.

To make sure you get the proper return you will most likely need a video poker app for a computer or smartphone. The app must allow the entry of pay tables and calculate returns. There are several available. Check online.

I do hope this makes sense to you and you are able to use this information in the future.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com