Been digging into some video poker paytables lately, and I figured I’d share a few thoughts on what’s looking solid this month. I’ve been focusing on variants that balance decent payouts with reasonable odds—stuff you can actually play without feeling like the machine’s just eating your bankroll.
First off, 9/6 Jacks or Better still holds up. The full pay version—9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush—sits at a 99.54% return if you’re sticking to optimal strategy. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent, and the variance isn’t brutal. Most places I’ve checked online still offer it, though you’ve got to hunt a bit for the full pay table.
Then there’s Double Bonus Poker, specifically the 10/7 version. This one’s got a 100.17% return with perfect play, which is rare as hell to find these days. The catch is the volatility—those bonus payouts for four-of-a-kinds can swing your session hard, but if you’re in for a longer grind, the edge is there. Just don’t sleep on the strategy adjustments; it’s not as forgiving as Jacks.
Deuces Wild’s another one I’ve been eyeing, the 25/15/10/4/3 paytable. It’s a 100.76% return if you nail the play, and the wilds keep things interesting without relying on jackpot chasing. Problem is, it’s tough to spot this exact table outside a few niche spots.
Point is, these variants are where I’d put my focus right now. They’re not the hyped-up machines with progressive gimmicks, but the numbers back them up. Stick to the math, tweak your play to the paytable, and you’re not just throwing coins into a void. Anyone else been running the numbers on these lately? Curious if the availability’s shifted where you’re at.
First off, 9/6 Jacks or Better still holds up. The full pay version—9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush—sits at a 99.54% return if you’re sticking to optimal strategy. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent, and the variance isn’t brutal. Most places I’ve checked online still offer it, though you’ve got to hunt a bit for the full pay table.
Then there’s Double Bonus Poker, specifically the 10/7 version. This one’s got a 100.17% return with perfect play, which is rare as hell to find these days. The catch is the volatility—those bonus payouts for four-of-a-kinds can swing your session hard, but if you’re in for a longer grind, the edge is there. Just don’t sleep on the strategy adjustments; it’s not as forgiving as Jacks.
Deuces Wild’s another one I’ve been eyeing, the 25/15/10/4/3 paytable. It’s a 100.76% return if you nail the play, and the wilds keep things interesting without relying on jackpot chasing. Problem is, it’s tough to spot this exact table outside a few niche spots.
Point is, these variants are where I’d put my focus right now. They’re not the hyped-up machines with progressive gimmicks, but the numbers back them up. Stick to the math, tweak your play to the paytable, and you’re not just throwing coins into a void. Anyone else been running the numbers on these lately? Curious if the availability’s shifted where you’re at.
