Video Poker Paytables & Payouts
Last updated: 02 October 2026
Video poker paytables show how much each winning hand pays, and differences between paytables can significantly affect a game's theoretical return. Two versions of the same video poker game may look almost identical while offering different payouts for key hands.
This guide compares paytables for Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, explains terms such as "full pay" and "short pay" and shows which payouts to check when comparing different versions of a game.
Video Poker Casinos Comparison
These casinos offer real money video poker, with differences in game selection, player availability and payout speed. Check the paytable of the individual game before playing, as versions can vary even within the same casino.
← Swipe to view full table →
| Casino | Video Poker Selection | USA? | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| iNetBet | 14+ SpinLogic games | ✅ | Same day |
| Lucky Elf | Multiple providers, varies by country | ❌ | 15 minutes |
| Decode | 20+ games, Rival + more | ✅ | 12-48 hrs |
| Winz | Multiple providers | ❌ | Instant |
Casino Beacon Opinion
Paytable quality is one of the most important things to check in video poker because two versions of the same game can offer noticeably different long-term returns. A familiar game name alone tells you very little about whether you're getting a strong version.
The quickest habit to develop is to open the paytable before betting. In Jacks or Better, the Full House and Flush payouts are especially useful clues, while Deuces Wild requires checking several key hands. Good strategy cannot fully compensate for choosing a weaker paytable in the first place.
Online Casinos with Video Poker
iNetBet
Online since 1999, iNetBet offers 14+ SpinLogic video poker games. New players can claim $20 free with no deposit required, while an 'all games' deposit bonus is available up to $100. Same-day payouts are available.
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Lucky Elf
Lucky Elf offers video poker from multiple providers, with the available games varying by country. It accepts players from Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland. 15-minute cashouts are available, alongside bonuses worth up to $/€20,000 + 500 free spins.
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Decode
Decode offers 20+ video poker games, including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and multi-hand variants, with Rival among the available providers. New players can claim 10 free spins at sign-up plus a 111% first deposit bonus up to $1,111 + $111 free gift.
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Winz
Winz offers video poker from multiple providers, including Jacks or Better, Joker Poker and several Powerpoker variants. Players can claim bonuses worth up to $/€20,000 or 800 free spins, with no wagering requirements. Instant cashouts are available.
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Jacks or Better Paytables Compared
Jacks or Better versions are commonly identified by their Full House and Flush payouts. A 9/6 game pays 9 coins for a Full House and 6 for a Flush per coin wagered, while 8/5 and 6/5 versions reduce those payouts and have lower theoretical returns.
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| Hand | 9/6 | 8/5 | 6/5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush* | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Full House | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Flush | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTP with optimal strategy* | 99.54% | 97.30% | 95.00% |
*Payouts are shown per coin wagered on the conventional five-coin paytable, where a maximum-coin Royal Flush pays 4,000 coins, equivalent to 800 per coin. RTP figures assume optimal strategy and this enhanced Royal Flush payout.
Deuces Wild Paytables Compared
Deuces Wild has several established paytable variations. Full Pay Deuces Wild and the version commonly known as NSUD use different payouts for several hands, so the paytable needs to be considered as a whole rather than judged from a single line.
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| Hand | Full Pay | NSUD |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush* | 800 | 800 |
| Four Deuces | 200 | 200 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 25 | 25 |
| Five of a Kind | 15 | 16 |
| Straight Flush | 9 | 10 |
| Four of a Kind | 5 | 4 |
| Full House | 3 | 4 |
| Flush | 2 | 3 |
| Straight | 2 | 2 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 | 1 |
| RTP with optimal strategy* | 100.76% | 99.73% |
*Figures use the conventional maximum-coin Royal Flush payout, equivalent to 800 per coin wagered. RTP figures assume optimal strategy for the specific paytable. NSUD stands for "Not So Ugly Ducks" and is a different paytable from Full Pay Deuces Wild.
How to Read a Video Poker Paytable
A video poker paytable lists each winning hand and the amount paid for it at a particular stake. When comparing two versions of the same game, look for differences in the payouts rather than relying on the game name alone. In Jacks or Better, the Full House and Flush payouts provide a quick comparison, while Deuces Wild requires checking several hands because established versions use different payout structures.
Theoretical RTP combines the paytable with the strategy used to play each hand. It represents the expected return over a very large number of hands, not the result you should expect from an individual session. Where a game offers an enhanced Royal Flush payout at the maximum coin wager, that bonus also forms part of the quoted RTP.
Paytables Across Video Poker Variants
Paytables cannot always be compared across different video poker variants using the same payouts. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus reward different hands in different ways, and each variant has its own strategy and established paytable versions.
Identify the variant first, then compare its paytable with other versions of the same game. See our Video Poker Variants Guide for a broader comparison of the major games, or the Video Poker Strategy Chart for guidance on playing individual hands.
Video Poker Paytables FAQ
What is a video poker paytable?
A video poker paytable lists the winning hands in a game and how much each one pays. Different versions of the same variant can use different payouts, which can change the game's theoretical RTP.
What does "full pay" mean in video poker?
"Full pay" is commonly used for an established paytable offering a relatively high theoretical return for a particular video poker variant. It does not describe every game in the same way, so check the complete paytable rather than relying on the term alone.
What does 9/6 mean in Jacks or Better?
In Jacks or Better, 9/6 means the game pays 9 coins per coin wagered for a Full House and 6 for a Flush. A conventional 9/6 Jacks or Better paytable has a theoretical RTP of about 99.54% with optimal strategy and the enhanced maximum-coin Royal Flush payout.
How much can a different paytable affect RTP?
The difference can be significant. For example, conventional 9/6 Jacks or Better has a theoretical RTP of about 99.54% with optimal strategy, compared with about 97.30% for 8/5 and 95.00% for 6/5 under the same maximum-coin Royal Flush structure.
Why can the maximum coin wager matter?
Some traditional video poker paytables increase the Royal Flush payout when the maximum number of coins is wagered. Because that enhanced payout contributes to the game's theoretical RTP, betting fewer coins can result in a different return. Check the individual game's paytable rather than assuming the same structure applies everywhere.
What is the quickest way to compare video poker paytables?
First make sure you are comparing the same variant. For Jacks or Better, the Full House and Flush payouts provide a useful shorthand, such as 9/6 or 8/5. Deuces Wild versions can differ across several hands, so compare the wider paytable rather than relying on one or two payouts.