Video poker games are unlike slot machines because players are able to determine the games return by using information on the pay table.
The pay tables detail how much is paid for each winning hand. By knowing the odds for each winning hand and the amount paid for that winning hand, returns can be calculated.
This article explores the odds of hitting winning hands on some of the more popular video poker games.
Table of Contents
1. How odds are determined
Odds are stated as x-in-y hands where x is usually 1 and y is the number of hands, on average, that the hand will occur. It is a complex process that includes both the originally dealt hand and the cards held and discarded from those hands.
2. Odds change based on playing strategy
Playing strategy is developed by holding the cards, if any, that produce the highest average return. A strategy that favors drawing for a specific hand will increase the odds of that hand appearing.
3. Odds change based on the pay table
Since the strategy is based on highest return, pay tables affect strategy. For example, a pay table that pays more for a flush will have a strategy that tends to favor drawing for a flush. Because of this, flushes will have better odds of appearing with this pay table.
4. Sample games and odds
Let’s look at some different games first. The odds shown are based on playing the strategy that produces the highest average return.
| Jacks or Better | ||
| Hand | Pays (per credit) | Odds: 1-in- |
| Royal Flush | 800 | 40390 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 9149 |
| 4-of-a-kind | 25 | 423 |
| Full House | 9 | 87 |
| Flush | 6 | 91 |
| Straight | 4 | 89 |
| 3-of-a-kind | 3 | 13 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 7.7 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 | 4.6 |
| Not a winner | 0 | 1.8 |
Note that higher odds numbers mean lower odds of happening. For example, in the above game of Jacks or Better, there is a 1 in 40,390 chance of getting a royal flush – on average.
| Double Bonus Poker | ||
| Hand | Pays (per credit) | Odds: 1-in- |
| Royal Flush | 800 | 48,048 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 8,841 |
| 4 Aces | 160 | 5,030 |
| 4 2’s, 3’s or 4’s | 80 | 1,908 |
| 4 5’s thru Kings | 50 | 622 |
| Full House | 10 | 89 |
| Flush | 7 | 67 |
| Straight | 5 | 67 |
| 3-of-a-kind | 3 | 14 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 8.0 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 | 5.2 |
| Not a winner | 0 | 1.8 |
In this Double Bonus Poker game, the odds of getting a royal flush drop to one in 48,048 hands.
| Double-Double Bonus Poker | ||
| Hand | Pays (per credit) | Odds: 1-in- |
| Royal Flush | 800 | 40,799 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 9,123 |
| 4 Aces w 2, 3, or 4 | 400 | 16,236 |
| 4 2-4 w a, 2, 3, or 4 | 160 | 6,983 |
| 4 Aces | 160 | 5,030 |
| 4 2’s, 3’s or 4’s | 80 | 1,908 |
| 4 5’s thru Kings | 50 | 622 |
| Full House | 9 | 89 |
| Flush | 6 | 67 |
| Straight | 4 | 67 |
| 3-of-a-kind | 3 | 14 |
| Two Pair | 7 | 8.0 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 | 5.2 |
| Not a winner | 0 | 1.8 |
A couple of highlights from the above tables:
- Odds for hitting a royal flush vary from 1-in-40,390 to 1-in-48,048.
- Odds for hitting a straight flush vary from 1-in-8,841 to 1-in-9,148.
The game can, indeed, make a difference in the odds.
5. Odds for the same game and different pay tables
Now let’s look at how different pay tables can change the odds. The full-pay (10/7) and the short-pay (9/6) Double Bonus poker odds are shown below.
| Double Bonus Poker (10/7) | ||
| Hand | Pays (per credit) | Odds: 1-in- |
| Royal Flush | 800 | 48,048 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 8,841 |
| 4 Aces | 160 | 5,030 |
| 4 2’s, 3’s or 4’s | 80 | 1,908 |
| 4 5’s thru Kings | 50 | 622 |
| Full House | 10 | 89 |
| Flush | 7 | 67 |
| Straight | 5 | 67 |
| 3-of-a-kind | 3 | 14 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 8.0 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 | 5.2 |
| Not a winner | 0 | 1.8 |
| Double Bonus Poker (9/6) | ||
| Hand | Pays (per credit) | Odds: 1-in- |
| Royal Flush | 800 | 40,864 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 9,205 |
| 4 Aces | 160 | 4,462 |
| 4 2’s, 3’s or 4’s | 80 | 1,906 |
| 4 5’s thru Kings | 50 | 617 |
| Full House | 9 | 93 |
| Flush | 6 | 90 |
| Straight | 5 | 64 |
| 3-of-a-kind | 3 | 13 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 8.3 |
| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1 | 4.7 |
| Not a winner | 0 | 1.8 |
The major differences between the 10/7 and 9/6 tables are:
- A royal flush is about 17.6 percent more likely in the 9/6 version (1-in-48,048 vs. 1-in-40,864).
- A straight flush is about 12.7 percent more likely in the 9/6 version (1-in-5,030 vs. 1-in-4,462).
- A flush is about 34 percent less likely in the 9/6 version (1-in-67 vs. 1-in-90).
As the information above clearly shows, the pay table can make a significant difference in the odds for certain hands appearing.
6. How to determine odds for other games and pay tables
This article shows only a few examples. Information for other games and pay tables can be determined by using a piece of video poker strategy software or app. Google “video poker strategy software” to get a listing of software and apps that are available.
Summary
- The odds for hitting video poker hands are determined by both the originally dealt hand and the cards held and discarded from that hand.
- Odds are calculated based on playing strategy.
- Since playing strategy changes based on game and pay table, pay tables affect the odds.
- The odds of hitting paying hands for any video poker game and pay table can be found using video poker strategy software or apps that can be found on the internet
