Types of Video Poker

Introduction

There are two ways that video poker machines differ from each other.

The first is how the game is played. Most video poker machines are based on the "Five Card Draw" version of poker, but some machines may offer variations of the game. "Jacks or better" is the most popular form, and was the original form, of video poker. One popular variation is "Deuces Wild", where a '2' serves as a wild card. Other variations include: Joker's Wild, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, and others.

The second way video poker machines differ from each other is the payout schedule that is used in the game. Some games offer higher payouts than others. The machines that offer the highest payouts for that type of game are called "full pay" games.

The payback percentage

Most video poker machines offer the highest payback percentage only if the maximum number of credits is bet. And, in order to receive the theoretical payout in the long-run, you have to play the game perfectly. Any sub-optimal play will results in a lower expected payout.

The following is a list of payout schedule for the most popular versions of video poker. Note the large increases in the payoffs for a Royal Flush played with the five credits versus the payoffs for less than five credits.

Types of games

"Jacks or Better"

Jacks or Better is the most common version of video poker. When playing Jacks or better, the player wins if their final five-card hand contains at least a pair of jacks or better. The various versions of Jacks or Better games differ from each other in that they have different payouts for full houses and flushes. The different payouts are denoted by a 2-number prefix before the name. For example, Full pay Jacks or Better is also known as "9/6 Jacks or Better" where the '9' refers to the payoff for a full house and the '6' refers to the payoff for a flush.

"9/6 Jacks or Better" payout schedule

	# of credits played
Hand	1	2	3	4	5
Royal Flush	250	500	750	1,000	4,000
Straight Flush	50	100	150	200	250
Four of a kind	25	50	75	100	125
Full House	9	18	27	36	45
Flush	6	12	18	24	30
Straight	4	8	12	16	20
Three of a Kind	3	6	9	12	15
Two Pair	2	4	6	8	10
Jacks or Better	1	2	3	4	5
Theoretical Return	98.4%	98.4%	98.4%	98.4%	99.5%

Deuces Wild

"Deuces Wild" is a variation of video poker in which all '2's are wild. Deuces Wild can be found with pay schedules that offer a theoretical return over 100 percent (again, when played with perfect strategy), but these games are very hard to find. More common are pay schedules that offer a lower theoretical return:

Deuces Wild payout schedule

	# of credits played
Hand	1	2	3	4	5
Natural Royal Flush	300	600	900	1,200	4,000
Four Deuces	200	400	600	800	1,000
Wild Royal Flush	25	50	75	100	125
Five of a Kind	15	30	45	60	75
Straight Flush	9	18	27	36	45
Four of a Kind	5	10	15	20	25
Full House	3	6	9	12	15
Flush	2	4	6	8	10
Straight	2	4	6	8	10
Three of a Kind	1	2	3	4	5
Theoretical Return	99.7%	99.7%	99.7%	99.7%	100.8%

Double Bonus

"Double Bonus" video poker is a variation of "Jacks or Better" with a bonus payout for four aces. It offers up to a theoretical return of 100.2%. This version is the full-pay "10/7" version of the game (10/7 are the payouts for a full house and a flush). The only versions of the game (10/6, 9/6, etc.) have lower payouts.

"10/7 Double Bonus" payout schedule

	# of credits played
Hand	1	2	3	4	5
Royal Flush	250	500	750	1,000	4,000
Straight Flush	50	100	150	200	250
Four Aces	160	320	480	640	800
Four 2, 3, or 4	80	160	240	320	400
Four 5-K	50	100	150	200	250
Full House	10	20	30	40	50
Flush	7	14	21	28	35
Straight	5	10	15	20	25
Three of a Kind	3	6	9	12	15
Two Pair	1	2	3	4	5
Jacks or Better	1	2	3	4	5
Theoretical Return	99.1%	99.1%	99.1%	99.1%	100.2%

Double Double Bonus

"Double Double Bonus" video poker is a variation of "Jacks or Better" which offers bonus payoffs for different four of a kinds. The full pay version of the game offers a payout over 100%.

"Double Double Bonus" payout schedule

	# of credits played
Hand	1	2	3	4	5
Royal Flush	250	500	750	1,000	4,000
Straight Flush	50	100	150	200	250
Four Aces w/2, 3, or 4	400	800	1,200	1,600	2,000
Four 2, 3, or 4 w/A-4	160	320	480	640	800
Four Aces	160	320	480	640	800
Four 2, 3, or 4	80	160	240	320	400
Four 5-K	50	100	150	200	250
Full House	10	20	30	40	50
Flush	6	12	18	24	30
Straight	4	8	12	16	20
Three of a Kind	3	6	9	12	15
Two Pair	1	2	3	4	5
Jacks or Better	1	2	3	4	5
Theoretical Return	98.9%	98.9%	98.9%	98.9%	100.1%