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Jesse Champagne Oct 17, 2024

Your Guide to Video Poker Odds & Payouts

Video poker is classic poker’s faster-paced relative, where it’s you against the dealer. Players with strict strategies and savvy game selection can be rewarded with huge payouts.

Strategy

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, understanding video poker odds and payouts can make all this difference between winning and losing. Between you and us, we prefer winning. 

So, settle in as we dive deep into the numbers behind the game, exploring odds, payout structures, and strategies to help you make the best decisions at the video poker tables.

The Basic Rules of Video Poker

Alright, crypto poker fans, before we dive into the nitty-gritty of odds and payouts, let’s get you up to speed on the basic rules of video poker.

Here’s how a typical hand goes down in the world of video poker:

1. You’re in the driver’s seat – start by placing your bet. Usually, you can wager between one and five coins.

A blank board in a Jacks or Better online game, with no cards showing.

2. The digital dealer springs into action, dealing you five cards from a standard 52-card deck (or 53 if you’re playing Joker’s Wild – because who doesn’t love a wild card?).

A Jack, 6, Queen, 2, and Ace are dealt in a Jacks or Better online game.

3. Decision time! Choose which cards to hold onto for dear life and which ones to toss back into the virtual void.

A player decides which cards to hold in a Jacks or Better online game.

4. The machine generously replaces your discarded cards with shiny new ones.

A player sees that he has made a pair after drawing cards in a Jacks or Better online game.

5. Moment of truth – your final hand is evaluated. If Lady Luck is on your side and you’ve got a winning combo, you’ll be paid according to the paytable.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to craft the best possible poker hand. The rarer the hand, the bigger the payout. And here’s the kicker – you’re not up against other players or a dealer. It’s just you versus the paytable, mano a mano.

Getting these basics down pat is key. They’re the foundation for understanding the odds and developing killer strategies. As you get more games under your belt, you’ll start to see how the odds of landing certain hands influence your decisions and potential payouts – it’s like developing a sixth sense for video poker.

Learn Video Poker Odds

Ready to level up your video poker game? Let’s talk odds – your secret sauce for video poker domination. At CoinPoker, we’re all about empowering players with knowledge, and understanding these odds is like having x-ray vision at the virtual tables.

So why should you care about these numbers? Simple – knowing the likelihood of hitting certain hands helps you make boss moves when deciding which cards to clutch and which to ditch.

Here’s where video poker gets its edge over traditional poker: you’re playing with a fixed deck, and the paytable is right there in black and white. No bluffing, no reading opponents – just you, the cards, and cold, hard math. It’s like being able to peek behind the curtain of the casino.

Check out this cheat sheet for Jacks or Better video poker odds:

HandOdds
Royal Flush1 in 649,740
Straight Flush1 in 72,193
Four of a Kind1 in 4,165
Full House1 in 694
Flush1 in 509
Straight1 in 255
Three of a Kind1 in 47
Two Pair1 in 21
Jacks or Better1 in 7.7

Armed with this intel, you’re not just playing – you’re strategizing. In the world of video poker, consistently making the mathematically correct play is your ticket to long-term success. It’s not about luck; it’s about playing smart.

Odds of Being Dealt Hands

In video poker, sometimes lady luck smiles upon you, and you’re dealt a winning hand right off the bat. These “pat hands” are always exciting, but how often can you expect them to happen?

Let’s break down the odds of being dealt some winning hands in Jacks or Better video poker:

  • Royal Flush: 1 in 649,740 (0.00015%)
  • Straight Flush: 1 in 72,193 (0.00139%)
  • Four of a Kind: 1 in 4,165 (0.02400%)
  • Full House: 1 in 694 (0.14409%)
  • Flush: 1 in 509 (0.19646%)
  • Straight: 1 in 255 (0.39215%)
  • Three of a Kind: 1 in 47 (2.12766%)
  • Two Pair: 1 in 21 (4.76190%)
  • Jacks or Better: 1 in 7.7 (12.9870%)

As you can see, pat hands are relatively rare, especially the top-paying hands like Royal Flushes. This is why understanding drawing odds matters – most of the time, you’ll be trying to improve your initial hand.

Odds When Drawing for Better Hands

Drawing for better hands is where the excitement of video poker really comes into play. It’s also where understanding the odds can significantly improve your game.

When you’re dealt a hand in video poker, you’re often faced with a choice: stick with what you have, or draw for something better? The odds of improving your hand depend on what you’re starting with and what you’re aiming for.

Here’s a quick look at some common drawing scenarios in Jacks or Better:

Starting HandDrawing ToOdds of Success
4 to a Royal FlushRoyal Flush1 in 47 (2.13%)
4 to a Straight FlushStraight Flush1 in 24 (4.16%)
3 to a Royal FlushRoyal Flush1 in 1,081 (0.09%)
4 to a FlushFlush1 in 5 (20.00%)
4 to an Outside StraightStraight1 in 6 (16.66%)

Understanding these odds helps you make better decisions. For example, while drawing to a Royal Flush might be tempting due to the high payout, the odds are quite low. On the other hand, drawing to a flush or an outside straight has a much higher chance of success.

Real Examples of Using Video Poker Odds

Let’s put our knowledge of video poker odds into practice with a couple of real-world examples. These scenarios will help show how understanding the odds can help with your decision-making at the video poker tables.

Example 1: You’re dealt K♥ Q♥ J♥ 7♣ 2♦ In this case, you have three cards to a Royal Flush. The odds of drawing the two needed cards (A♥ and 10♥) are about 1 in 1,081. While this might seem low, the potential payout for a Royal Flush is so high that this is usually the correct play.

Example 2: You’re dealt J♠ J♣ 10♥ 10♣ 5♦ Here, you have Two Pair. The odds of improving to a Full House by drawing one card are about 1 in 12. Given the higher payout for a Full House compared to Two Pair, holding both pairs and drawing one card is typically the best play.

By considering the odds in situations like these, you can make more informed decisions that will improve your results over time. Remember, video poker is a game of skill as much as chance!

How Payouts in Video Poker Work

Let’s talk cold, hard cash – or in our case, digital coins. Unlike those mysterious slot machines where payouts seem to come out of thin air, video poker lays it all out on the table. Your payout is directly linked to the strength of your poker hand. Simple, transparent, and totally in your control.

But here’s the kicker – different video poker variants have their own payout structures. It’s like each game has its own personality when it comes to rewarding your sick poker skills.

Now, let’s break down how these payouts work:

In video poker, your potential windfall is tied directly to your bet size. Most games let you wager between one and five coins per hand. Generally, your payout scales up with your bet – but there’s one juicy exception we’ll get to in a second.

Check out this payout table for Jacks or Better – it’s like the holy grail of video poker payouts:

Hand1 Coin2 Coins3 Coins4 Coins5 Coins
Royal Flush25050075010004000
Straight Flush50100150200250
Four of a Kind255075100125
Full House918273645
Flush612182430
Straight48121620
Three of a Kind3691215
Two Pair246810
Jacks or Better12345

Did you spot that massive leap for the Royal Flush when betting 5 coins? That’s not a typo, folks – it’s the golden ticket of video poker. This is why savvy players always max out their bets. When you hit that Royal Flush jackpot, you want to be riding the 5-coin express to Profit Town.

The House Edge in Video Poker

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the house edge. It’s like the casino’s secret sauce, their mathematical mojo that keeps them in business. But here’s the kicker with video poker: it often gives the house a smaller slice of the pie compared to other online casino games.

In video poker, the house edge is all about the paytable and game rules. Take a full-pay Jacks or Better game (we call it 9/6 because it pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush) – play it perfectly, and the house edge shrinks to a mere 0.46%. That’s like giving the house pocket change!

Let’s put that in perspective:

  • Slot machines: House edge of 2-15% (ouch!)
  • American Roulette: 5.26% (better, but still steep)
  • Blackjack: 0.5-2% (now we’re talking)

This slim house edge is why smart gamblers love video poker. But remember, to get this edge, you need to play like a pro. Any slip-ups, and the house gets a bigger bite of your crypto stash.

Return to Player (RTP): Your Winning Chances

Now, let’s flip the script and talk about Return to Player (RTP). It’s like the house edge’s cooler cousin. While the house edge shows what the casino keeps, RTP tells you what you could get back. It’s your potential piece of the crypto pie.

Here’s the magic formula: RTP = 100% – House Edge

So, for our 9/6 Jacks or Better game: RTP = 100% – 0.46% = 99.54%

Translation? For every 100 USDT you bet, you could see 99.54 USDT coming back your way in the long run. Not too shabby!

Different games, different RTPs:

  • Full pay Deuces Wild: 100.76% RTP (yes, you read that right!)
  • 9/5 Jacks or Better: 98.45% RTP
  • 6/5 Jacks or Better: 95.00% RTP

Remember, these numbers assume you’re playing like a poker AI. In reality, the crypto gods of chance can swing things either way in the short term. That’s the thrill of the game!

Odds & Payouts of Video Poker Variants

Video poker isn’t your one-trick pony kind of game – oh no! We’ve got a whole stable of different versions, each with its own unique style of rules, odds, and payouts.

Understanding these differences is like having a secret decoder ring for the video poker universe. It’ll help you pick the game that suits your style and, more importantly, maximize those sweet, sweet returns. Let’s break down some of the most popular variants, from the classic Jacks or Better to the wild child Deuces Wild.

Video Poker Games with the Best Odds

Not all video poker games are created equal, folks. Some are practically giving away the house (well, almost). Check out these high-rollers of the video poker world:

  1. Full Pay Deuces Wild: Play this one perfectly, and you’re looking at an RTP over 100%. That’s right, you could theoretically beat the house!
  2. 9/6 Jacks or Better: The OG of video poker with a tiny 0.46% house edge. It’s like the house is on a diet!
  3. Full Pay Joker Poker: Optimal play can net you an RTP of about 100.6%. The joker’s not joking around!
  4. 10/7 Double Bonus Poker: With perfect strategy, you’re looking at a 100.17% RTP. Double the bonus, double the fun!

Remember, these odds assume you’re playing like a poker-bot and you’ve found the full-pay versions. They’re the unicorns of the video poker world – rare, but oh so magical when you find them!

Jacks or Better Odds & Payouts

Jacks or Better is the vanilla ice cream of video poker – classic, straightforward, and everybody’s go-to. Here’s what a typical full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better payout looks like:

HandPayout (1 coin)
Royal Flush250
Straight Flush50
Four of a Kind25
Full House9
Flush6
Straight4
Three of a Kind3
Two Pair2
Jacks or Better1

Play this baby perfectly, and you’re looking at an RTP of 99.54%. But watch out for those sneaky casinos offering 8/5 or 7/5 versions!

Tens or Better Odds & Payouts

Tens or Better is Jacks or Better’s slightly easier-going cousin. Pairs of tens or higher will win you some coins, but don’t get too excited – the payouts are tweaked to keep things fair:

HandPayout (1 coin)
Royal Flush800
Straight Flush50
Four of a Kind25
Full House8
Flush5
Straight4
Three of a Kind3
Two Pair2
Tens or Better1

Notice those slightly lower payouts for Full House and Flush? That’s the trade-off for easier wins. Still, with perfect play, you’re looking at an RTP of about 99.1%. Not too shabby!

Aces and Faces Odds & Payouts

Aces and Faces is like the Hollywood version of video poker – it’s all about the stars (Aces) and the pretty faces (Kings, Queens, Jacks). Check out these glamorous payouts:

HandPayout (1 coin)
Royal Flush800
Straight Flush50
Four Aces80
Four K, Q, or J40
Four 5s through 10s25
Full House8
Flush5
Straight4
Three of a Kind3
Two Pair2
Jacks or Better1

Play this one like a pro, and you’re looking at an RTP of around 99.2%. Those bonus payouts for four-of-a-kinds make this game a real thrill ride.

Bonus Poker Odds & Payouts

Bonus Poker is like Aces and Faces’ cousin who’s always trying to one-up everyone. It’s got its own twist on those four-of-a-kind bonuses:

HandPayout (1 coin)
Royal Flush800
Straight Flush50
Four Aces80
Four 2s, 3s, or 4s40
Four 5s through Ks25
Full House8
Flush5
Straight4
Three of a Kind3
Two Pair2
Jacks or Better1

With perfect play, you’re still looking at that sweet 99.2% RTP.

Double Bonus Odds & Payouts

Now we’re getting into the big leagues. Double Bonus Poker is like the adrenaline junkie of the video poker world. Check out these heart-pumping payouts:

HandPayout (1 coin)
Royal Flush800
Straight Flush50
Four Aces160
Four 2s, 3s, or 4s80
Four 5s through Ks50
Full House9
Flush7
Straight5
Three of a Kind3
Two Pair1
Jacks or Better1

Play this one perfectly, and you could be looking at an RTP of up to 100.17%. But remember, with great power comes great volatility. Those massive four-of-a-kind payouts come at the cost of lower returns on smaller hands.

And for those true thrill-seekers, there’s even Double Double Bonus Poker. It’s like Double Bonus Poker after a triple espresso – even bigger payouts for certain four-of-a-kinds, but you’ll need nerves of steel to handle the swings.

There is a neverending list of video poker variants, so always check the payout table at your game before playing.

Video Poker Strategy Players Should Know

Now that we’ve dissected the odds and payouts of various video poker games, it’s time to talk strategy. Think of this as your battle plan for conquering the digital felt. While each video poker variant has its own optimal approach, there are some universal truths that’ll serve you well across the board:

  1. Max out those coins! Always bet the maximum to milk that juicy Royal Flush payout. Use a lower denomination machine if max betting is too expensive.
  2. Strategy charts are your new best friend. Learn ’em, love ’em, live by ’em.
  3. Be picky with your games. Hunt for those favorable pay tables.
  4. Perfect play is the name of the game. That advertised RTP? You gotta earn it with flawless execution.

Remember, video poker strategy isn’t about gut feelings or lucky charms. It’s all about making the mathematically correct play, every single time. Leave the hunches to the slot jockeys!

Basic Video Poker Playbook

Now, let’s break down some Jacks or Better basics that’ll up your game:

  1. Got a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, or Four of a Kind? Hold onto those babies for dear life!
  2. Never, ever break up a paying hand for a shot at a Royal Flush. That’s like swapping your CoinPoker winnings for a lottery ticket.
  3. Three cards to a Royal Flush? Don’t ditch a paying pair for such a long shot!
  4. Four cards to a Straight Flush? Hold ’em tight and pray to the poker gods.
  5. Low Pair vs. High Card showdown? Stick with the pair. Two’s company, one’s a lonely number.
  6. Four-Card Flush or Four-Card Straight? Flush it is! Better odds, my friends.

Of course, these tips are just scratching the surface. To really dominate, you need to dive deep into strategy charts for your game of choice. There are loads of resources out there, including some nifty strategy trainers to help you make the right calls.

Conclusion

Ok, we’ve taken you on a whirlwind tour of video poker odds and payouts, from the basics to the nitty-gritty. But remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Video poker is like a crypto blockchain – the deeper you dig, the more fascinating it gets.

Here’s the real deal: video poker isn’t just about Lady Luck giving you a wink. It’s a skill game disguised as a luck game. The more you know, the better your chances of walking away with a fatter crypto wallet.

Now, we know you’re itching to put all this newfound knowledge to the test. Sign up to CoinPoker now and let’s see if you can turn these video poker skills into real poker winnings!

FAQs

Full Pay Deuces Wild is your best bet, offering over 100% RTP if you play like a poker-bot!

Video poker, hands down! Lower house edge and you get to flex those brain muscles.

With perfect play, you’re looking at once every 40,000 hands. Pack a lunch; it might be a while!

Long-term profit is possible with perfect play on certain games, but success is never guaranteed where chance is involved.

9/6 pays 9 for a Full House and 6 for a Flush, while 8/5 shortchanges you. Always go for 9/6 – your bankroll will thank you!

Jesse Champagne With over a decade in iGaming, Jesse brings expertise as a writer, editor, creative lead, and content consultant. Leveraging his poker experience, he helps users navigate online gaming complexities, providing valuable insights for both novice and experienced players.