The video poker industry has come a long way since the 1970s when only a handful of games were available.  Today it is quite possible to find over 100 versions of video poker and the number rises every year thanks to the competition that exists between online casino software companies.  Thus, with so many different versions out there, how can newcomers to this great form of entertainment make their choice and what should they base their decision on?

Experts agree that new video poker players should first learn how to play Jacks or Better as most games are a variation of this version.   Other than this simple fact, however, new players need to understand the advantage that video poker has over regular slots – the pay tables that are located with every machine. By understanding the facts drawn up on the pay tables, players can make educated decisions regarding their choice of video poker game.

Players need to understand that video poker is made up of a combination of hands from a standard deck of 52 cards. It has been shown that a deck of this kind can produce 2,598,960 hands.  Therefore, a payout calculation can be made according to how much the video poker machine will pay for each winning combination.  Random number generators (RNG) are programmed to simulate the possibilities of reaching any one of these combinations.  So how do casinos get their edge over the players? They adjust the pay tables of these video poker machines.

Obviously players cannot calculate these numbers without some help. They can find assistance through a number of channels, including software, internet and even books to determine payouts for each table.  To maximize your edge in video poker, you need to learn how to read pay tables to ensure that you are getting the best return on a machine.  Players should be on the look out for machines that look identical at first glance, but a better look at their pay tables will shows that they actually have different expected returns (known as ER).

In order to get a general idea of the payouts for some of the more popular video poker games out there, we will take a look at a few examples.
Jacks or Better

Looking at the pay table, if the Royal Flush is shown as 250/4000, this means that the Royal Flush will pay 250 per coin and an additional 4000 per coin when the maximum five coins are played. This bonus is calculated in the overall return. The estimated return for this machine is 99.5% and the amount is shown on the pay table.   
Deuces Wild

If players play five coins in the four-of-a-kind in this game, the return will be 100.7%.  If only four coins are played, the return is reduced by over 6% - certainly a significant drop.
Double Bonus Poker

Over and beyond the standard bonus poker game, this game pays double for the four-of-a-kinds.  In addition, an extra coin is given for the straight.  When all this is taken into account, double bonus poker offers over 100% return if the full pay machine is played correctly.

Software can assist players to determine and analyze the expected return of most video poker machines. This will help players determine which machines will eventually offer the best returns overall.  Casinos take into account that most players won’t bother with the calculations attached to the payout rates; however, smart gamblers, who want to increase their chances of beating the video poker machines, will learn how to read the pay tables and understand them.