Video poker pay tables
Look up the published return and house edge of a video poker pay table from the payouts on the machine.
Read the payouts from the pay table on the machine or in the game's help screen, for one coin.
- Published return (optimal strategy, max coins)
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- House edge
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- Pay table
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| Game | Table | Payouts per coin | Return | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 | Full house 9, Flush 6 | 99.54% | 0.46% |
| Jacks or Better | 9/5 | Full house 9, Flush 5 | 98.45% | 1.55% |
| Jacks or Better | 8/6 | Full house 8, Flush 6 | 98.39% | 1.61% |
| Jacks or Better | 8/5 | Full house 8, Flush 5 | 97.30% | 2.70% |
| Jacks or Better | 7/5 | Full house 7, Flush 5 | 96.15% | 3.85% |
| Jacks or Better | 6/5 | Full house 6, Flush 5 | 95.00% | 5.00% |
| Bonus Poker | 8/5 | Full house 8, Flush 5 | 99.17% | 0.83% |
| Bonus Poker | 7/5 | Full house 7, Flush 5 | 98.01% | 1.99% |
| Double Bonus Poker | 10/7 | Full house 10, Flush 7, Straight 5 | 100.17% * | — |
| Double Bonus Poker | 9/7 | Full house 9, Flush 7, Straight 5 | 99.11% | 0.89% |
| Double Double Bonus Poker | 9/6 | Full house 9, Flush 6 | 98.98% | 1.02% |
| Deuces Wild | Full pay | Full house 3, Flush 2, Four of a kind 5, Straight flush 9, Five of a kind 15 | 100.76% * | — |
| Deuces Wild | Not So Ugly Ducks | Full house 4, Flush 3, Four of a kind 4, Straight flush 10, Five of a kind 16 | 99.73% | 0.27% |
* Only with perfect strategy over a very long run; these pay tables are rare, online versions usually pay less, and short sessions swing far either way — it is not a way to make money.
Quick answer
In video poker the pay table sets the return: the same game can return over 99% or about 95% depending on what a full house and a flush pay. Jacks or Better that pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush returns 99.54% with optimal strategy and maximum coins, so check those two rows before you play.
How to read a pay table
Most video poker games are named after their full house and flush payouts for one coin: "9/6 Jacks or Better" pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush. Those two rows change the most between versions of the same game, so they are the quickest way to tell a better table from a worse one. Deuces Wild and Double Bonus need a few more rows, which the lookup asks for.
The returns assume two things: you play the optimal strategy for that exact table, and you bet maximum coins, because the royal flush pays a bonus only at max coins. Simple strategies give up a little; playing by feel gives up much more. The house edge is simply 100% minus the return.
Returns above 100%
Only with perfect strategy over a very long run; these pay tables are rare, online versions usually pay less, and short sessions swing far either way — it is not a way to make money.
Read our video poker strategy guide for the Jacks or Better hold order, and the bankroll guide for session budgets.
Sources
Every return on this page is a published figure, not our own calculation. We list only tables we could check against the source:
- Wizard of Odds: Jacks or Better pay tables (opens in new tab) · checked
- Wizard of Odds: Bonus Poker pay tables (opens in new tab) · checked
- Wizard of Odds: Double Bonus Poker pay tables (opens in new tab) · checked
- Wizard of Odds: Double Double Bonus Poker pay tables (opens in new tab) · checked
- Wizard of Odds: Deuces Wild pay tables (opens in new tab) · checked
Keep it in your control
A high return lowers the average cost; it doesn't stop short sessions losing. Set a budget before you play. Members can set break reminders and take a time-out from their account, and free, confidential help is on our responsible gambling page.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best video poker pay table?
Among the common tables we list, Deuces Wild full pay and 10/7 Double Bonus publish returns above 100% with perfect strategy, but they are rare and online versions usually pay less. 9/6 Jacks or Better at 99.54% is the most widely found strong table.
What does 9/6 mean in video poker?
A full house pays 9 and a flush pays 6 for each coin bet. A 8/5 table pays 8 and 5 instead, which lowers the return of Jacks or Better from 99.54% to 97.30%.
Does a higher return mean I will win?
No. The return is a long-run average with optimal play. Any session can end well below it, and most players give up some return through strategy mistakes.
Why is my game not in the table?
We list only pay tables whose returns we could check against a published source. If yours isn't here, check the game's help screen; many casinos publish the return there.
Gambling should stay fun
Set deposit limits before you play, never chase losses and take regular breaks. If gambling stops being enjoyable, free and confidential help is available 24/7.