Key Insights
Quick Answer:
- Best X for Y: Best Indicator of Game Quality: The paytable
- Best time to do X: Best Time to Check It: Before placing your first bet
- Biggest mistake: Assuming all machines with the same name pay the same
- Pro tip: One reduced payout can drop RTP by several percentage points
What Is a Video Poker Paytable?
A paytable is the chart that shows:
- which hands pay
- how much each hand pays
- how payouts scale with bet size
It’s not decoration. It’s the entire math model of the game.
Every outcome you get is compared directly to this table.
Why the Paytable Is More Important Than the Game Name
Two machines can both say:
- “Jacks or Better”
- use the same rules
- look identical
But their paytables may differ.
That difference:
- changes expected return
- alters optimal strategy
- increases or decreases long-term losses
The name alone tells you very little.
How Paytables Affect RTP
RTP in video poker is calculated from:
- the frequency of hands
- the payout values in the paytable
Lower one key payout—like a full house or flush—and RTP drops fast.
For example:
- A standard full pay game might return ~99%
- A short-pay version might return ~96% or less
That difference is enormous over time.
Common Hands That Are Often Reduced
Casinos usually don’t touch the rare hands. They adjust the common ones.
Most often reduced:
- full house
- flush
- two pair
Because these hands appear more frequently, small cuts add up quickly.
Why Casinos Use Short-Pay Tables
Casinos adjust paytables to:
- increase house edge
- keep machines profitable
- reduce sharp player advantage
Casual players rarely notice because the game feels the same.
How to Read a Paytable Correctly
When checking a paytable:
- look at full house payout
- look at flush payout
- confirm max-coin royal flush payout
These numbers usually tell you if a game is worth playing.
Example: Jacks or Better Paytable Comparison
Two common versions:
- Full pay: 9/6 Jacks or Better
- Short pay: 8/5 Jacks or Better
That single-digit change:
- lowers RTP significantly
- increases long-term loss
- changes strategy slightly
Always check before you sit down.
Why Max Coins Matter With Paytables
Most paytables assume:
- you’re betting max coins
The royal flush payout is often:
- reduced when betting fewer coins
This creates a situation where:
- RTP looks good on paper
- but only applies at max bet
Online vs Casino Paytables
Online video poker:
- usually displays paytables clearly
- easier to compare variants
Casino floors:
- vary by location
- may mix full pay and short pay machines
Knowing how to read paytables protects you in both settings.
Paytables and Strategy Charts Are Connected
Strategy charts:
- are built around specific paytables
- assume exact payout values
Using the wrong chart for the wrong paytable:
- lowers RTP
- causes subtle mistakes
Always match strategy to the paytable you’re playing.
Why Paytables Don’t Change Mid-Session
Important clarification:
- paytables are fixed
- casinos do not adjust them while you play
- results don’t change based on behavior
The risk is choosing a bad table, not being tricked mid-game.
Common Paytable Myths
Some false beliefs:
- “This machine pays better late at night”
- “The paytable adjusts after wins”
- “Casinos hide better paytables during slow hours”
None of these are true.
How Paytables Shape the Entire Experience
Paytables influence:
- volatility
- payout frequency
- emotional swings
Two games can feel very different even if they share the same rules.
FAQs on Video Poker Paytables
Do All Video Poker Machines Have the Same Paytable?
No. Paytables can vary widely.
What Is a “Good” Paytable?
One that matches full-pay standards for the variant.
Can Casinos Change Paytables Remotely?
Not mid-session. Any change applies before play starts.
Does a Higher Paytable Guarantee Wins?
No. It only improves long-term return.
Should Beginners Care About Paytables?
Yes. Ignoring them is one of the biggest beginner mistakes.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand how paytables work, the next step is learning the key labels casinos use to describe them.
Next Article: The Meaning of “Full Pay” vs “Short Pay” Machines (article #5)
Next Steps
If you want hand basics, read: Understanding Video Poker Hand Rankings With Examples (article #3)
If you want machine labels next, read: The Meaning of “Full Pay” vs “Short Pay” Machines (article #5)
Want the full framework? Use: The Complete Guide to Video Poker (pillar)
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