Been digging into Jacks or Better paytables lately, and I wanted to share some findings for those hunting the best returns in licensed casinos. I’ve been cross-referencing data from a few trusted sources and tracking what’s out there in regulated markets. The goal’s always to find those full-pay tables, but they’re getting rare, so let’s talk about what’s realistic.
The holy grail for Jacks or Better is the 9/6 paytable—9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush on a 1-coin bet. This gives you a 99.54% RTP with perfect strategy, which is about as good as it gets in video poker. I’ve seen these in a few older Vegas casinos, particularly downtown or off-Strip, but they’re not as common as they used to be. Some places like the D or El Cortez still offer them on select machines, but you’ve got to check the paytables carefully. Online, it’s tougher. I’ve found 9/6 tables at a couple of regulated sites like BetMGM and DraftKings in states like NJ and MI, but always double-check the fine print before playing.
More commonly, you’ll run into 8/5 or 7/5 paytables, especially in newer casinos or online platforms. The 8/5 drops the RTP to around 97.3%, and 7/5 is even worse at 96.2%. These eat into your bankroll faster, so I’d avoid them unless you’re just playing for fun. I pulled some data from a few licensed operators, and the trend’s clear: bigger resorts and flashier platforms lean toward stingier tables to boost their edge. Smaller, player-friendly spots or older venues are your best bet for finding 9/6 or at least 8/6.
One thing I’ve noticed is that casinos don’t always advertise their paytables clearly, especially online. You might need to load the game and check the help menu or paytable screen. I’ve also been tracking variance on these machines—9/6 tables paired with optimal strategy (like holding low pairs over high cards in certain spots) keep your swings manageable compared to chasing bonuses on worse tables. If you’re playing in a licensed market, check the gaming commission’s site for reports on casino payouts. Nevada and NJ publish some of this, and it’s a goldmine for spotting trends.
If anyone’s got recent intel on 9/6 tables in specific casinos or platforms, I’d love to hear it. Also, curious if you’re factoring in comps or loyalty programs when you pick your spots. Those can sometimes offset a slightly worse paytable, but I’m skeptical it’s worth it long-term. Let me know what you’re seeing out there.
The holy grail for Jacks or Better is the 9/6 paytable—9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush on a 1-coin bet. This gives you a 99.54% RTP with perfect strategy, which is about as good as it gets in video poker. I’ve seen these in a few older Vegas casinos, particularly downtown or off-Strip, but they’re not as common as they used to be. Some places like the D or El Cortez still offer them on select machines, but you’ve got to check the paytables carefully. Online, it’s tougher. I’ve found 9/6 tables at a couple of regulated sites like BetMGM and DraftKings in states like NJ and MI, but always double-check the fine print before playing.
More commonly, you’ll run into 8/5 or 7/5 paytables, especially in newer casinos or online platforms. The 8/5 drops the RTP to around 97.3%, and 7/5 is even worse at 96.2%. These eat into your bankroll faster, so I’d avoid them unless you’re just playing for fun. I pulled some data from a few licensed operators, and the trend’s clear: bigger resorts and flashier platforms lean toward stingier tables to boost their edge. Smaller, player-friendly spots or older venues are your best bet for finding 9/6 or at least 8/6.
One thing I’ve noticed is that casinos don’t always advertise their paytables clearly, especially online. You might need to load the game and check the help menu or paytable screen. I’ve also been tracking variance on these machines—9/6 tables paired with optimal strategy (like holding low pairs over high cards in certain spots) keep your swings manageable compared to chasing bonuses on worse tables. If you’re playing in a licensed market, check the gaming commission’s site for reports on casino payouts. Nevada and NJ publish some of this, and it’s a goldmine for spotting trends.
If anyone’s got recent intel on 9/6 tables in specific casinos or platforms, I’d love to hear it. Also, curious if you’re factoring in comps or loyalty programs when you pick your spots. Those can sometimes offset a slightly worse paytable, but I’m skeptical it’s worth it long-term. Let me know what you’re seeing out there.