Video poker profitability depends almost entirely on pay table selection and proper playing strategy. Unlike slot machines where odds are fixed within the game's design, video poker players can directly influence their expected return through decision-making on every hand. The difference between optimal play and casual play can exceed 4% of total wagered amount—a significant margin in casino gaming.
A video poker pay table displays the payout ratio for each winning hand combination. Standard poker hand rankings apply: high card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush. However, the critical detail lies in how much each machine pays for specific hands. Two machines with identical game names may have drastically different pay tables, creating vastly different return percentages.
Return to Player (RTP) percentage represents the theoretical long-term payout based on optimal play of millions of hands. A machine with 99.54% RTP means that, on average, players will see 99.54% of wagered money returned over an extended period. This calculation assumes perfect play of every hand decision. Conversely, casual play might reduce this to 95% or lower, depending on strategy mistakes.
To evaluate a pay table's quality, compare payouts for full houses and flushes—the most common winning hands. Full house payouts typically range from 8-to-1 to 9-to-1, while flush payouts range from 5-to-1 to 6-to-1. "Full pay" machines offer the highest standard payouts and should be your target. "Short pay" machines reduce these ratios, significantly lowering overall returns.