By Daniel Whitmore ยท Updated
Finding video poker full pay machines is the cornerstone of a winning strategy for any player looking to maximize their return on investment. Understanding what “full pay” signifies and how to identify these elusive machines can dramatically improve your gameplay and overall profitability. This guide dives deep into the mechanics of full pay video poker, offering actionable advice and concrete examples to help you navigate the casino floor and digital tables with confidence.
Essentially, a video poker full pay machine offers the highest possible payout ratios for a given hand combination compared to other versions of the same game. This means that for the same bet and the same resulting poker hand, a full pay machine will return more credits. The difference might seem small on a single instance, but over thousands of hands, these percentage points translate into a significantly higher expected value (EV) and a considerably lower house edge, often bringing it down to less than 1%.
The pursuit of full pay machines is not merely about luck; it’s an informed approach to the game. It requires understanding the paytables, the specific variant of video poker you’re playing, and the strategic decisions that capitalize on the optimal payouts. By mastering these elements, players can transform a game often perceived as purely chance-based into one with a predictable, albeit still statistical, edge.
Understanding Video Poker Paytables: The Heart of Full Pay
The core differentiator between various video poker machines lies in their paytables. These charts, prominently displayed on the machine’s screen, detail the number of credits awarded for each winning poker hand (e.g., Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, Royal Flush). A “full pay” designation refers to the paytable that offers the highest theoretical return to player (RTP) percentage for a specific video poker variant.
For instance, in the classic game of Jacks or Better, a 9/6 paytable is considered full pay. This means a full house pays 9 coins for every 1 coin bet, and a flush pays 6 coins for every 1 coin bet. A lower-paying variant, often called a “short pay” machine, might offer 8/5 or even 7/5 payouts for the same hands. The difference between a 9/6 and an 8/5 Jacks or Better machine can swing the house edge from around 1.5% down to under 0.5%, a substantial improvement for the player.
Crucially, the optimal strategy for playing a 9/6 game differs slightly from an 8/5 game, primarily due to the increased value of the full house. When you encounter a full pay machine, adopting the strategy designed for that specific paytable is paramount to achieving the game’s highest theoretical return. Recognizing these paytables is the first, and arguably most important, step in your video poker journey.
How to Identify Video Poker Full Pay Machines
Identifying video poker full pay machines requires a systematic approach, moving beyond simply picking a game that looks appealing. The key lies in scrutinizing the paytable, often found in the game’s help screen or displayed directly on the machine’s interface. For popular variants, there are generally accepted “full pay” configurations that players aim for.
For Jacks or Better, the target is the 9/6 paytable (9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush). For Deuces Wild, a common full pay is 25/10/8/5/4 (25 for four 2s, 10 for a straight flush, 8 for five of a kind, 5 for a royal flush, 4 for a full house). These numbers are not arbitrary; they represent the highest statistical returns available for each specific game variant. Many online resources and dedicated video poker players maintain lists of full pay paytables for various games.
When playing at video poker tables, especially digital ones, the paytables are readily accessible. In physical casinos, you might need to press a “Help” or “Paytable” button. Don’t be shy about checking; this diligence is what separates a casual player from one seeking optimal results. The effort to locate a video poker full pay machine is rewarded with a significantly better chance of long-term profitability.
The Strategic Advantage: Playing Full Pay Correctly
Simply playing on a video poker full pay machine isn’t enough; optimal strategy is the second vital component to achieving its maximum theoretical return. Each video poker variant has a mathematically derived set of “best plays” for every possible hand dealt. These strategies dictate which cards to hold and which to discard to maximize your chances of hitting winning combinations based on the specific paytable.
For example, in 9/6 Jacks or Better, holding a pair of Jacks with four cards to a flush is often the correct play, even though it breaks up a potential near-royal. The reason is that the probability of hitting the flush, combined with the 9/6 payout for a full house (which you might get if you draw a pair), outweighs the slightly higher EV of chasing a royal flush with fewer cards. Implementing these strategies involves understanding the “outs” (cards that can improve your hand) and the probabilities associated with drawing them.
Many online resources provide strategy charts for virtually every video poker game and paytable combination. These charts can be printed or displayed on a second screen for easy reference when playing online. For live casinos, memorizing key strategic decisions or using a small, discreet reference card is common practice among serious players. The goal is to consistently play with the highest possible EV, and for video poker full pay, this means adhering strictly to the mathematically proven strategy.
Worked Example: Jacks or Better 9/6 Strategy
Let’s illustrate the impact of strategy on a video poker full pay machine. Consider you are playing 9/6 Jacks or Better and are dealt the following hand with a maximum bet of 5 coins:
Hand Dealt: King of Spades, King of Hearts, 7 of Diamonds, 2 of Clubs, 9 of Spades
A common mistake for novice players might be to hold the pair of Kings and discard the other three cards, hoping to improve the pair. However, the optimal strategy for 9/6 Jacks or Better dictates a more nuanced approach. According to established strategy charts, the correct play in this scenario is to hold the King of Spades and the King of Hearts, and discard the 7 of Diamonds, 2 of Clubs, and 9 of Spades. You are then drawing two cards to your pair of Kings.
The reasoning behind this strategy is that while improving the pair might yield a two-pair or three-of-a-kind, the EV is lower than chasing a potentially better hand with more “outs.” Drawing two cards to a pair gives you a reasonable chance of hitting another King for three-of-a-kind (worth 3 coins), or potentially drawing cards that combine with your Kings to form a full house. If you were to discard one of the Kings, your potential for a significant payout diminishes. The mathematical expectation of holding both Kings and drawing two cards is higher than any other option in this specific situation on a video poker full pay machine.
The Evils of Short Pay Machines and How to Avoid Them
The inverse of seeking out video poker full pay is actively avoiding “short pay” machines. These machines, while appearing similar, offer significantly lower payout percentages, increasing the house edge and diminishing your potential winnings. The most common culprits are reduced payouts for flushes and full houses in Jacks or Better, and modified payouts for higher-ranking hands in other variants.
For example, a common short pay variation of Jacks or Better is 8/5, where a full house pays 8 coins and a flush pays 5 coins. This seemingly small reduction dramatically alters the game’s RTP. An 8/5 machine typically has an RTP of around 97.3%, whereas a 9/6 machine can achieve an RTP of up to 99.5%. Over extended play, this nearly 2.2% difference can be devastating to your bankroll.
To avoid these traps, always consult the paytable before playing. If you’re on a physical machine, look for the 9/6 for Jacks or Better, or the equivalent full pay configurations for other games. Online video poker sites should clearly display paytables. If a machine’s paytable isn’t readily available or seems unusually low for common hands, it’s best to move on. Prioritizing video poker full pay is not optional; it’s fundamental to playing the game intelligently.
Beyond Jacks or Better: Full Pay in Other Variants
While Jacks or Better is the most widely recognized game for its full pay variations, the principle extends to all video poker games. Each variant, whether it’s Deuces Wild, Tens or Better, Aces and Eights, or Double Bonus Poker, has its own set of “full pay” paytables that offer the highest theoretical return to player when played with optimal strategy. The specific payouts and the optimal strategies will differ.
For Deuces Wild, as mentioned, full pay often involves payouts like 25/10/8/5/4. In Double Bonus Poker, the full pay (often 10/8) offers enhanced payouts for Four of a Kind hands, especially Aces. The complexity of the game and the number of possible winning hands increase with variants, making the paytable analysis even more critical. The objective remains the same: find the highest possible RTP for a given game.
The key takeaway is that the concept of video poker full pay is universal across different games. Understanding the specific paytables and associated optimal strategies for the variant of your choice is crucial. A player who hunts for full pay machines and commits to learning the correct strategy drastically enhances their chances of success and minimizes the inherent house edge of casino games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical RTP of a video poker full pay machine?
The typical Return to Player (RTP) for video poker full pay machines can be exceptionally high, often exceeding 99%. For instance, 9/6 Jacks or Better can reach an RTP of approximately 99.54%. This high RTP means the house edge is minimized, offering players the best possible odds in the long run.
Are video poker full pay machines difficult to find?
Yes, video poker full pay machines can be challenging to find, especially in physical casinos where many machines offer reduced payouts. Online casinos and poker rooms are often a more reliable source, as their paytables are clearly displayed and less likely to be altered from optimal configurations.
Does optimal strategy significantly impact winnings on full pay video poker?
Absolutely. Playing a video poker full pay machine with incorrect strategy negates much of its advantage. Optimal strategy ensures you make the mathematically best decision for every hand, aligning with the paytable’s structure to achieve the highest possible theoretical return and minimize the house edge.
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