Video poker is one of the few casino games where skillful play can significantly reduce the house edge, making it highly appealing to strategic players. However, the potential return is heavily influenced by the machine’s pay schedule—the table of payouts for various hands. Understanding the difference between “full pay” and “short pay” machines is essential for maximizing your return to player ($RTP$) and making informed decisions at the meilleur casino en ligne France floor or online.
Understanding Pay Schedules
Every video poker machine displays a pay table that determines how much each hand pays relative to your wager. The cumulative effect of these payouts defines the theoretical return to player ($RTP$), the percentage of wagered money a player can expect to retain over the long term with optimal play.
-
Full Pay Machines: Feature the most favorable payout structures. When played with perfect strategy, these machines often yield $RTP$s exceeding 99%, meaning the house edge is minimal.
-
Short Pay Machines: Offer reduced payouts for key hands, especially the full house or flush. Even minor reductions in these payouts can lower $RTP$ to 95–97%, dramatically affecting long-term profitability.
Common Video Poker Variants and Their Pay Schedules
-
Jacks or Better
-
Full pay version: 9/6 Jacks or Better (9 for full house, 6 for flush)
-
Short pay example: 8/5 Jacks or Better
-
Impact on RTP: 9/6 Jacks or Better offers an RTP of 99.54% with perfect play, whereas 8/5 reduces it to about 97.3%.
-
-
Deuces Wild
-
Full pay: “NSUD” (No Single Use Deuces)
-
Payout variations for four-of-a-kind and wild hands significantly change $RTP$
-
Skilled players must always check the pay table before committing to a machine
-
-
Bonus and Double Bonus Variants
-
Full pay tables are designed for experienced players, often offering higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands
-
Short pay versions may reduce these bonuses, lowering long-term returns
-
How to Identify Full Pay Machines
-
Examine the Pay Table
-
Always check payouts for full house, flush, and four-of-a-kind hands
-
Compare against standard full pay charts for the game variant
-
-
Calculate or Reference $RTP$
-
Use video poker strategy charts and software to determine theoretical $RTP$ for the displayed pay table
-
Small reductions in key hands significantly reduce $RTP$
-
-
Avoid Machines with Altered or Incomplete Payouts
-
Any machine offering a lower-than-expected payout for a common hand likely falls into the short pay category
-
-
Consider Betting Level
-
Some machines offer optimal returns only at maximum coin bets (e.g., 5 coins)
-
Always read the machine’s pay table instructions carefully
-
Why Full Pay Matters
Even a 1–2% difference in $RTP$ translates into substantial expected loss over thousands of hands. For professional or strategic players, selecting full pay machines is critical:
-
Maximizes Long-Term Returns: Proper strategy plus full pay yields near-even odds against the house
-
Enables Comp Play and Loyalty Benefits: Longer play on full pay machines generates more points and rewards
-
Reduces Variance in Expected Loss: Even small reductions in payout can make short sessions unprofitable
Practical Tips for Players
-
Always carry a pay table reference sheet for common video poker variants
-
Prioritize full pay machines, even if located slightly farther on the casino floor
-
Practice perfect strategy for the chosen machine to achieve theoretical $RTP$
-
Verify that the machine is set to maximum coin bet when necessary for full pay
Conclusion
The pay schedule is the most important factor in determining a video poker machine’s profitability. By identifying full pay machines and avoiding short pay versions, players maximize their $RTP$ and minimize the house edge. Combining careful machine selection with optimal strategy allows video poker enthusiasts to approach near-even odds, turning a simple casino game into a strategic, skill-based endeavor.
