VIDEO POKER CORNER By Mark Novak
THE BEST VIDEO POKER GAMES Make Sure You Keep These Pay Tables In Mind
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rizona doesn’t offer the best pay tables for video poker, unfortunately. Every now and then you can find a hidden gem, even in a low denomination. But, overall, you need to make the decision whether or not it’s worth investing your money in a video poker game that doesn’t have the best payback percentage. However, don’t forget that playing with a player’s card, participating in promotions (such as earn-and-get), and taking advantage of all the comps that are offered to you by the casino can add up to 2% (sometimes even more) to the overall payback percentage. So, if the video poker game you want to play isn’t the “full-pay” version, then try to find the pay table that comes
as close to the “full-pay” version as possible. The percentage due to the comps can make up for a “short-pay” game. I think it’s always best to know what the “full-pay” version is so at least you can compare against what you find when you walk in to your favorite casino. To help out with that task I’ve listed the pay tables for six of the most popular video poker games. Note that all the payouts listed below are for a max bet of five credits for simplicity. Aside from the Royal Flush, divide by five to calculate the one credit pays. The payback percentages listed below are at maximum bet and using optimal play. $
Jacks or Better
5 Coins
Bonus Poker
Royal Flush Straight Flush Four of a Kind Full House Flush Straight Three of a Kind Two Pair Jacks or Better
4,880 250 125 45 30 20 15 10 5
(100.0000% Payback @ Max Bet)
Royal Flush 4,000 Straight Flush 275 Four Aces 400 Four 2s, 3s, 4s 200 Four 5s thru Kings 125 Full House 40 Flush 25 Straight 20 Three of a Kind 15 Two Pair 10 Jacks or Better 5 (99.2199% Payback @ Max Bet)
Royal Flush 4,000 Straight Flush 250 Four Aces 800 Four 2s, 3s, 4s 400 Four 5s thru Kings 250 Full House 50 Flush 35 Straight 25 Three of a Kind 15 Two Pair 5 Jacks or Better 5 (100.0017% Payback @ Max Bet)
Double Double Bonus 5 Coins Royal Flush 4,000 Straight Flush 250 Four Aces w/a kicker 2,000 Four Aces 800 Four 2s, 3s, 4s w/a kicker 800 Four 2s, 3s, 4s 400 Four 5s thru Kings 250 Full House 50 Flush 30 Straight 20 Three of a Kind 15 Two Pair 5 Jacks or Better 5 (100.0670% Payback @ Max Bet)
Triple Double Bonus 5 Coins Royal Flush 4,000 Straight Flush 250 Four Aces w/a kicker 4,000 Four Aces 2,000 Four 2s, 3s, 4s w/a kicker 800 Four 2s, 3s, 4s 400 Four 5s thru Kings 250 Full House 45 Flush 35 Straight 20 Three of a Kind 10 Two Pair 5 Jacks or Better 5 (99.5778% Payback @ Max Bet)
Deuces Wild Poker
5 Coins
Royal Flush Four Deuces Wild Royal Flush Five of a Kind Straight Flush Four of a Kind Full House Flush Straight Three of a Kind
4,000 1,000 125 75 45 25 15 10 10 5
18 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2021 | azgamingguide.com
5 Coins
Double Bonus Poker
5 Coins
(100.76% Payback @ Max Bet)
