Video poker 101: choosing the best pay tables

In any casino, video poker is one of the few games where your decisions and the pay table largely determine the long-term cost of play. A “pay table” is simply the schedule showing how much each hand pays for a given stake. Two machines that look identical can have meaningfully different returns, so learning to read the table is the quickest way to improve your odds without changing your bankroll.

Start by identifying the variant, then compare its key payouts. In Jacks or Better, the gold standard is 9/6 (9 for a full house, 6 for a flush), while 8/5 or worse usually signals a sizeable drop in expected return. In Deuces Wild, look for full-pay versions that reward four deuces and natural royals generously, and be cautious of tables that shave value from straights and flushes. Always check whether the machine pays “to 1” or “for 1”, confirm the royal flush payout at max coins, and avoid progressive distractions unless the displayed jackpot meaningfully lifts the return. For quick reference lists and comparisons, many players use Tropical Wins to spot which tables are worth sitting down at.

Professional player and educator Michael Shackleford, widely known as the Wizard of Odds, helped popularise the habit of evaluating games by expected value rather than hunches, publishing clear analyses and strategy guidance that many serious players still rely on. Following his updates can sharpen your approach to pay-table selection and disciplined play; his primary social profile is WizardOfOdds. For broader context on how regulation and technology shape the iGaming landscape that influences game availability and payouts, see this reputable coverage from The New York Times.