Video Poker: Paytable and RTP (Why 9/6 Pays More Than 8/5)
Video poker reaches 99%+ RTP, but only with the right paytable and correct strategy. What 9/6 vs 8/5 means, why it changes the RTP and why strategy matters like in blackjack.
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Video poker is one of the casino games with the highest potential RTP — up to 99% and beyond. But that number depends on two things almost nobody checks: the table's paytable and the strategy you play with. Here is how to read both.
In one line: video poker has one of the highest RTPs in the casino (up to 99%+) but only with the right paytable and correct strategy. The "9/6" Jacks or Better pays much more than the "8/5": it is the same game with a different RTP.
How to Read a Paytable
In video poker you win by forming poker combinations (high pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, royal flush). Each combination's payout is fixed and written in the paytable. Two tables of the same game can have different paytables — and thus different RTPs.
The "9/6" vs "8/5" Code
| Version (Jacks or Better) | Full house | Flush | RTP with optimal strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 ("Full Pay") | 9:1 | 6:1 | ~99.54% |
| 8/6 | 8:1 | 6:1 | ~98.4% |
| 8/5 | 8:1 | 5:1 | ~97.3% |
| 7/5 | 7:1 | 5:1 | ~96.2% |
Indicative values for Jacks or Better with optimal strategy; other variants (Deuces Wild, etc.) have their own tables. Always check the table's paytable.
Same game, same graphics: but the 9/6 pays over 3 percentage points more than the 7/5. Checking full house and flush before playing is video poker's most profitable move.
Strategy Matters (Like in Blackjack)
Unlike slots, in video poker you decide which cards to discard and hold. The optimal choice for each hand is calculable, and getting it wrong lowers the RTP. It is the same principle as blackjack basic strategy: the game rewards those who know the correct moves.
How to Play It Better
- Look for "full pay" paytables (9/6 on Jacks or Better), avoid 8/5 or worse.
- Learn the strategy of the variant you play: it is what approaches maximum RTP.
- Not all variants are equal: Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker etc. have different tables and strategies.
- High RTP ≠ always winning: it stays a game with expected cost and volatility.
For the basic rules, see the video poker guide.
Video poker payouts and RTP: FAQ
What is the RTP of video poker?
Among the highest in the casino: "9/6" Jacks or Better reaches about 99.54% with optimal strategy. But it depends on the paytable: "8/5" or lower versions drop below 98%.
What does "9/6" or "8/5" mean?
They indicate how much the full house and the flush pay. "9/6" = full house 9:1 and flush 6:1 (the best); "8/5" = 8:1 and 5:1, with lower RTP. It is the first thing to check: it radically changes value.
Do you need strategy for video poker?
Yes, and it is decisive. As in blackjack, your decisions (which cards to hold) affect the RTP. Without correct strategy the return drops by several percentage points.
Is video poker like slots?
No: it uses a 52-card deck with known probabilities and involves decisions. Randomness is in the deal, but strategy matters — unlike slots, where no choice changes the RTP.
Responsible Gambling
Online gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a source of income. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, free support resources are available:
- ADM — Responsible Gambling
- GiocoHelpline freephone: 800 558822 (free, 24/7)
- Every ADM casino offers self-exclusion tools, deposit limits and reality-check reminders of time played.
