Video poker occupies a unique space in casino gaming. Unlike slots, the outcome isn’t purely random — skill and decision-making genuinely affect results. Unlike table poker, you’re not competing against other players. And unlike most casino games, some video poker variants offer a theoretical return of over 99%, making them among the most player-favorable games on the floor.
But not all video poker games are equal. Here’s a clear, math-based breakdown of which video poker games have the best odds.
Why Video Poker Odds Vary by Game
Video poker RTP (Return to Player) depends on two factors:
- The pay table — the specific payouts for each hand (e.g., Full House pays 9x or 6x)
- Optimal strategy — the correct hold/discard decisions for every dealt hand
A game’s RTP is only achievable with perfect strategy play. Playing without a strategy chart reduces effective RTP significantly — often by 1–3%.
Video Poker Variants by RTP (Best to Lowest)
1. Deuces Wild (Full Pay) — Up to 100.76% RTP
Full pay Deuces Wild is theoretically the best video poker game for players — it’s one of the rare casino games where, with perfect strategy, the player actually holds a slight mathematical edge over the house.
The catch: full-pay Deuces Wild tables are rare. The full-pay version requires this paytable:
- Natural Royal Flush: 800x
- Four Deuces: 200x
- Wild Royal Flush: 25x
- Five of a Kind: 15x
- Straight Flush: 9x
- Four of a Kind: 5x
Reduced paytables (common in most casinos) bring this below 99%.
2. Jacks or Better (9/6 Full Pay) — 99.54% RTP
9/6 Jacks or Better is the most widely recommended starting point for video poker players. The “9/6” refers to:
- Full House pays 9x bet
- Flush pays 6x bet
With these payouts and optimal strategy, the RTP is 99.54% — a house edge of just 0.46%.
This is the game most experts recommend learning first because:
- Strategy is straightforward to learn
- Full-pay tables are more commonly found than Deuces Wild equivalents
- It forms the foundation for understanding other variants
3. Double Bonus Poker (10/7) — 100.17% RTP
The 10/7 version of Double Bonus offers a player edge when played with perfect strategy. However:
- Strategy is more complex than Jacks or Better
- Full-pay 10/7 tables are rare
- Variance is higher (more volatile sessions)
4. Double Double Bonus Poker — 98.98% RTP
Adds extra bonuses for specific four-of-a-kind combinations. RTP is strong but variance is high — expect larger swings between sessions.
5. Bonus Poker — 99.17% RTP
A modified version of Jacks or Better with enhanced payouts for four Aces. Moderate variance; accessible strategy.
Video Poker RTP Comparison Table
| Game | Full-Pay RTP | Difficulty | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deuces Wild (full pay) | 100.76% | High | High |
| Double Bonus (10/7) | 100.17% | High | Very High |
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | 99.54% | Low–Medium | Low–Medium |
| Bonus Poker (8/5) | 99.17% | Medium | Medium |
| Double Double Bonus | 98.98% | Medium–High | High |
| Joker Poker | 98.6% | Medium | Medium |
How Paytable Variations Affect RTP
This is critical: the same game name can have wildly different RTPs depending on the specific paytable offered.
Jacks or Better example:
- 9/6 (Full House 9x, Flush 6x) = 99.54% RTP
- 8/5 (Full House 8x, Flush 5x) = 97.30% RTP
- 6/5 (Full House 6x, Flush 5x) = 95.00% RTP
The difference between a 9/6 and a 6/5 machine is nearly 4.5% in house edge — enormous over a long session. Always check the paytable before playing.
Pro Tips for Video Poker Players
- Learn basic Jacks or Better strategy first — it’s the most accessible entry point and transfers partially to other variants
- Always check the Full House and Flush payouts before sitting down — these two numbers tell you most of what you need to know about a machine’s value
- Use a strategy card — most casinos allow them; using one is not against the rules and significantly improves your effective RTP
- Play max coins — in most video poker games, the Royal Flush pays 800x for max coin play but only 250x for single-coin play; this difference significantly affects overall RTP
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing without knowing optimal strategy — video poker’s advertised RTP assumes perfect play; guessing reduces your return by 1–5%
- Assuming all machines of the same name pay the same — always verify the specific paytable
- Ignoring the Royal Flush contribution — a large portion of total RTP comes from the rare Royal Flush; short sessions will rarely reflect the theoretical return
- Playing high-variance games with a small bankroll — Double Double Bonus has great theoretical RTP but requires a larger bankroll to survive losing streaks
FAQs
Q: What is the best video poker game to play for beginners? 9/6 Jacks or Better is the standard recommendation — it has the simplest strategy, widely available full-pay tables, and a strong 99.54% RTP.
Q: Can you actually win at video poker long term? With full-pay Deuces Wild or 10/7 Double Bonus and perfect strategy, the theoretical RTP exceeds 100% — but full-pay machines are rare and variance means short-term losses are common regardless.
Q: Does video poker really have better odds than slots? Yes — significantly. A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine at 99.54% RTP compares favorably to even online slots, and far exceeds land-based slot machine RTPs of 85–93%.
Q: What does “full pay” mean in video poker? Full pay refers to the best available paytable for a given variant — the one that produces the highest theoretical RTP. Most common paytables are reduced versions that give the casino a larger edge.
Conclusion
Among all video poker variants, 9/6 Jacks or Better is the most practical starting point — accessible strategy, strong RTP, and widely available. For experienced players seeking maximum theoretical return, full-pay Deuces Wild and 10/7 Double Bonus offer some of the best odds in any casino game — but require more advanced strategy and careful paytable verification. In every case, the paytable matters as much as the game name. Check it before you play.
