Slot machines and video poker are different things. Video poker is the antidote for the gambler who gets bored simply pressing the bet button. But the real odds for the person who doesn't play perfect poker are actually lower, because he will make tactical mistakes whereas it's impossible to make a mistake when playing slots. So video poker can actually afford to pay more to winners. And that is why video poker can theoretically be a money maker, if the gambler plays perfect poker. (Most people don't play perfect poker, that's presumably how video poker machines make money). Here are the payouts on some machines:
Popular Types of Video PokerThe following list includes some of the most common versions of video poker. When possible, we've also included the expected return for the player. Expressed as a percentage, this number indicates the amount that the player should expect to receive back in the long term. For example, a return of 99% would deliver $99 for every $100 wagered (on average).
You’ll also notice that games sometimes have a fractional number in front of them, such as 9/6 Jacks or Better. This means that a full house pays 9 times the original wager, while a flush pays 6 times the player’s bet. 9/6 is generally the top payout for Jacks or Better, so this is known as a “full pay” machine. An 8/5 machine, meanwhile, would be labeled a “short pay” game due to a decreased payout.
Jacks or Better
Also referred to as “draw poker,” this game doesn’t deliver a payout unless the player gets a pair of jacks or higher. Using a simple strategy on this game delivers an expected return of 99.46%, while employing a more advanced optimal strategy yields 99.54%.
Deuces Wild
Two cards are considered in this version of the game. While a royal flush comprised of one or more wild cards pays 125 credits, a natural royal flush is far more valuable with a 4000-coin payout. Using a simple strategy on the full-pay version of this game yields an expected return of 100.71%, which means the player actually has an advantage over the house.
Bonus Poker
One of the most common casino options, this version offers a full-pay of 8/5 and includes a number of four-of-a-kind payouts. When using optimal strategy, the expected return is 99.17%. It’s not uncommon for this version of video poker to be the most profitable version offered in some casinos, especially since the others often give the player a mathematical edge over the house. Double Bonus Poker
10/7 is common for the full-pay version. Players are paid with jacks or better, although four-of-a-kind hands offer the largest prize. 100.17% expected return.
Joker Poker
The joker acts as a wild card, and a pair of kings or better are required for a payout. The expected return is 100.64% when using a basic strategy.
Double Double Bonus Poker
This game offers increased payouts for four-of-a-kind hands in specific combinations. For example, four aces with a 2-4 kicker pays 400 coins, while four-of-a-kind of 2-4 with an ace-4 kicker pays 160 coins. The full-pay version is 10/6, and employing basic strategy on this machine yields an expected return of 100.07%.
I look at it this way:
You can’t beat the house.
If you could beat the house, there would be no house.