Understanding Video Poker Return Percentages
Video poker stands apart from most casino games because player decisions directly influence the mathematical return to player (RTP) percentage. Unlike slot machines where RTP is entirely predetermined, video poker outcomes depend on which cards the player chooses to hold or discard. A skilled player using optimal strategy can achieve RTPs ranging from 98% to over 100% on certain machines with favorable pay tables, while an unskilled player might see returns as low as 85-90%.
The return percentage in video poker is intrinsically linked to the pay table—the displayed schedule showing payouts for each hand combination. Two machines running the same software can have significantly different RTPs if their pay tables differ. For example, a "full pay" Jacks or Better machine typically offers 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush, resulting in an RTP of approximately 99.55%. A "short pay" version offering 8 coins for a full house and 5 coins for a flush drops the RTP to around 97.3%.
Critical Pay Table Variations
Understanding pay table differences is fundamental to optimal video poker play. The highest-paying versions of popular variants include: Jacks or Better at 9/6 (full house/flush) with 99.55% RTP, Bonus Poker at 8/5 with 99.17% RTP, and Double Bonus Poker at 10/7 with 100.07% RTP. These "full pay" tables are increasingly rare in brick-and-mortar casinos but more common in online platforms. Before playing any video poker machine, carefully examine the pay table. A machine advertised as "Bonus Poker" could have different payouts depending on the casino operator's configuration.
Optimal Strategy Charts Explained
Video poker strategy is not intuitive; it requires referencing strategy charts developed through computer analysis of millions of hands. These charts rank all possible card combinations by expected value and dictate exactly which cards to hold in any situation. For Jacks or Better, the basic hierarchy includes: always hold a royal flush draw over four to a flush, hold three of a kind over four to a straight, and hold a pair of high cards rather than four to a flush.
The mathematical foundation of strategy charts comes from calculating the expected value of keeping versus discarding each card. If holding four cards to a flush has an 35.48% probability of completing and returns 20 coins on average, while holding three of a kind returns 50 coins guaranteed, the strategy dictates holding the three of a kind. Professional players memorize these charts completely, while casual players can reference printed guides or mobile applications during play.
Bankroll Considerations and Volatility
Video poker's volatility—the fluctuation between wins and losses—varies significantly by game type. Jacks or Better offers moderate volatility with relatively consistent payouts. Bonus and Double Bonus variants introduce higher volatility because four of a kind payouts increase substantially, creating longer dry spells interrupted by occasional large wins. A bankroll of 100 times the maximum bet is recommended for sustainable play across multiple sessions.