Just Curious: Best Video Poker Paytables for Newbies?

[arp2012]

Hey, kinda new to video poker and feeling a bit lost. I mostly follow college sports betting, but wanna try this. Are there paytables that are forgiving for beginners? Like, ones where I won’t lose my shirt too fast? Thanks for any tips.

 

[Salz&Pfeffer]

Hey, kinda new to video poker and feeling a bit lost. I mostly follow college sports betting, but wanna try this. Are there paytables that are forgiving for beginners? Like, ones where I won’t lose my shirt too fast? Thanks for any tips.

<p dir="ltr">New to video poker and coming from sports betting? Welcome to the grind! Since you’re used to college sports, you probably know the value of playing smart and keeping risk low while learning the ropes. Video poker’s a different beast, but it’s all about finding games with paytables that give you a fair shot and don’t bleed your bankroll dry too fast. Here’s the breakdown for beginners looking for forgiving paytables.</p><p dir="ltr">First off, stick to Jacks or Better. It’s the simplest video poker game, and the strategy isn’t as wild as some others. The goal is to find a “full pay” 9/6 Jacks or Better paytable—9 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush per coin bet. This setup gives you a 99.54% return to player (RTP) with perfect play, which is about as close to even odds as you’ll get in a casino. It’s forgiving because the payouts for mid-tier hands like straights (4 coins) and two pairs (2 coins) are decent, so you’re not relying on rare hands like a royal flush to stay afloat. Compare that to something like 8/5 Jacks or Better, where the full house and flush payouts drop to 8 and 5 coins. That knocks the RTP down to 97.3%, and you’ll feel the hit on your wallet faster.</p><p dir="ltr">Why’s this good for newbies? Higher RTP means your money lasts longer, giving you time to learn without getting crushed. Think of it like betting on a heavy favorite in sports—you’re not guaranteed a win, but the odds are in your favor over time. The 9/6 paytable keeps variance low, so your bankroll won’t swing as wildly as in games like Double Bonus Poker, where big payouts for four-of-a-kinds come at the cost of weaker returns on smaller hands.</p><p dir="ltr">Another solid option is 10/6 Double Bonus Poker, but only if you can find it. It pays 10 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush, with an RTP around 100.17% if you play perfectly. It’s a bit riskier because it leans on four-of-a-kind payouts, but the higher return can stretch your session. That said, it’s rarer, and the strategy’s a tad trickier, so maybe hold off until you’re comfy with Jacks or Better.</p><p dir="ltr">A quick tip: always bet max coins (usually 5). The royal flush payout jumps from 250:1 to 800:1 at max bet, which is where the RTP shines. If that’s too steep, drop to a lower denomination—like quarters instead of dollars—rather than betting fewer coins. It’s like passing up a parlay with a massive payout; you don’t want to shortchange yourself on the big one.</p><p dir="ltr">Where to find these? Off-Strip or downtown Vegas spots like Four Queens or Plaza often have better paytables than the Strip’s tourist traps. Online, check casinos like Bovada for 9/6 Jacks or Better at low stakes. Before you play, practice with free apps like VideoPoker.com’s “Best Hold” to get the hang of optimal holds without risking cash. It’s like studying game tape before betting on a spread.</p><p dir="ltr">One last thing: don’t chase “loose” machines at bars or sketchy spots. They often have brutal paytables (like 6/5 Jacks or Better) that’ll eat your money faster than a bad underdog bet. Stick to vetted paytables, and you’ll have a fighting chance to enjoy the game while keeping your shirt on. Good luck at the machines!</p>

 

[Ehemals]

Like a river card turning the tide, your shift from sports betting to video poker feels like a fresh deal. Stick with 9/6 Jacks or Better—its gentle rhythm of payouts, with 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush, sings a forgiving tune for newbies. The 99.54% RTP is a steady hand, letting your bankroll dance longer while you learn the steps. Practice on free apps to sharpen your moves, and seek those full-pay tables in quieter casinos. Play max coins for the royal flush’s sweet crescendo, and you’ll find the game’s flow without losing your stake too soon.