Out of all the video poker variants out there, Jacks or Better is in the spotlight as the closest to the original released in the ‘70s. The minimum hand for a win (pair of Jacks) and the game’s nine winning hands haven’t changed. But other games have cropped up with new features, including wild cards and bonus payouts. Let’s see how three of the most popular video poker games compare.
Jacks or Better
Payback: 99.54%
Variance: 19.5
Favored by conservative gamblers, Jacks or Better offers moderated video poker action. The game is the least volatile of the bunch, with a variance of 19.5, meaning you’ll generally get consistent payouts that are more modest than other versions. The low volatility makes Jacks or Better suitable for people with small bankrolls and people who prefer consistency over excitement. Jacks or Better comes in four versions: 1 Hand, 3 Hand, 10 Hand, and 52 Hand. They each have the following payouts based on a 1-coin wager:
Jacks or Better 1 Coin
2 Pair 2 Coins
3 of a Kind 3 Coins
Straight 4 Coins
Flush 6 Coins
Full House 9 Coins
4 of a Kind 25 Coins
Straight Flush 50 Coins
Royal Flush 250 Coins
The Jacks or Better at Slots.lv is a full pay machine (9/6 Jacks or Better), meaning the full house pays 9 coins and the flush pays 6 coins.
Bonus Poker
Payback: 99.1%
Variance: 20.9
Bonus Poker was released after Jacks or Better. To create more of a buzz, two bonus payouts for 4 of a Kind hands were added to the paytable. If you recall, all 4 of a Kind hands in Jacks or Better resulted in 25-coin payouts (based on a 1-coin bet). In Bonus Poker, you get 80 coins if you get four Aces and 40 coins is you get four Twos, Threes, or Fours. The rest (Five to King) result in the standard 25-coin payout. In order to compensate for the bonus payouts, the full house and flush pay 1 coin less than Jacks or Better.
Jacks or Better 1 Coin
2 Pair 2 Coins
3 of a Kind 3 Coins
Straight 4 Coins
Flush 5 Coins
Full House 8 Coins
4 5-K 25 Coins
4 2-4 40 Coins
4 Aces 80 Coins
Straight Flush 50 Coins
Royal Flush 250 Coins
Bonus Poker Deluxe
Payback: 98.49%
Variance: 32
People liked the bigger payouts that came with Bonus Poker, but the division of the 4 of a Kind hands was a bit confusing. The next big thing was a Bonus Poker Deluxe, which offered a big 80-1 bonus for landing a 4 of a Kind hand. To compensate, the payout for 2 pair was reduced to 1 coin, which decreases the game’s average payback since you’re more likely to land 2 Pair than 4 of a Kind.
Jacks or Better 1 Coin
2 Pair 1 Coins
3 of a Kind 3 Coins
Straight 4 Coins
Flush 6 Coins
Full House 8 Coins
4 of a Kind 80 Coins
Straight Flush 50 Coins
Royal Flush 250 Coins
All three games are available in our Video Poker section, and can be tested using Practice Play. Tune in next week for three new video poker games, including ones with wild cards.