Video poker RTP is the share of all money staked that a game pays back over the long run, and it ranges from 94% on weak Joker Poker tables to 100.76% on Full Pay Deuces Wild. Unlike slots, you can check the figure yourself from the pay table. Here is what each game returns, the two conditions every figure depends on and what RTP means for your budget.
Video poker RTP depends on the game, the pay table and your decisions; 9/6 Jacks or Better returns 99.54% with optimal play.
Every published figure assumes optimal strategy and the maximum coin bet.
A few tables exceed 100%, but they need flawless play, carry high variance and are not a way to make money.
RTP is a long-run average: expected loss = total staked × (100% − RTP).
UK games must show return information, such as the RTP, before you play.
Full Pay Deuces Wild
100.76%
Best Joker Poker table
100.64%
10/7 Double Bonus
100.17%
9/6 Jacks or Better
99.54%
8/5 Jacks or Better
97.3%
Lowest Joker Poker tables listed
94.00%
What video poker RTP means
RTP, or return to player, is the percentage of all money wagered that a game returns to players on average over a very large number of plays. A 99.54% RTP means that for every £100 staked in total, the game is expected to pay back £99.54 in the long run, so the house edge is 0.46%. The two numbers always add up to 100%, as our RTP vs house edge page explains.
Video poker is one of the few casino games where the RTP can be calculated from information on the screen. The deck is a known 52 cards (plus any wild cards), each hand is dealt from a fresh shuffle, and the pay table states exactly what every hand pays. Analysts have worked through every possible deal and draw to produce exact figures for each table. A slot's reel weightings are hidden, so its RTP has to be taken from the developer; video poker's can be checked by anyone with the pay table and the maths.
RTP describes the game over millions of hands, not your next session. Results over an evening can be far above or below it.
Video poker RTP by game and pay table
The table below gathers standard published returns for the main games, from the Wizard of Odds video poker summary (opens in a new tab) and its individual strategy pages. All assume optimal strategy and the maximum coin bet.
The spread inside a single game is often wider than the spread between games. Double Bonus runs from 100.17% down to 97.81% depending on three rows; Joker Poker covers more than six percentage points. That is why the game's name tells you little about its RTP, and why our video poker pay tables guide explains how to read the rows that matter.
The two conditions behind every video poker RTP figure
1. Optimal strategy
Video poker RTP figures are calculated as if the player always makes the hold with the highest average value. Real players make mistakes, and each one lowers the return actually achieved. The Gambling Commission's technical standards on game descriptions and the likelihood of winning (opens in a new tab) reflect this: for games with a skill element, the RTP shown should be calculated using either the auto-play strategy or a standard published strategy. In other words, the help-screen number describes expert play. Our video poker strategy guide shows how to get close to it.
2. The maximum coin bet
The royal flush typically pays 800 per coin only when you bet the maximum number of coins, usually five. On fewer coins it pays less, and because the royal is a meaningful part of the total return, the RTP drops. To stake less, lower the coin value and still bet all the coins.
Can video poker RTP be over 100%?
On paper, yes. Full Pay Deuces Wild (100.76%), the best Joker Poker table (100.64%) and 10/7 Double Bonus (100.17%) all return slightly more than is staked under perfect play, according to standard analysis such as the Wizard of Odds 10/7 Double Bonus strategy (opens in a new tab).
That does not make them a way to make money, for several reasons:
The margin is tiny. At 100.17%, £1,000 of turnover has an expected gain of £1.70, and only if every decision is perfect.
Strategy for these games is complex, and a few misplays per hundred hands can wipe out the margin.
Much of the return sits in rare hands such as royal flushes, so most sessions finish below the average even on these tables.
Which pay tables UK-licensed online casinos run is something you have to check game by game, and full-pay versions may not be offered.
Video poker is often excluded from bonuses or counts for less towards wagering, so you cannot assume extra value from offers.
The useful formula is expected loss = total amount staked × (100% − RTP). Total staked means turnover, not your starting balance, because winnings are usually played again. A quick game at 25p a hand can run up hundreds of pounds in turnover from a small deposit.
Expected loss on £250 of turnover (1,000 hands at 25p)
Game and pay table
RTP
Expected loss
9/6 Jacks or Better
99.54%
£1.15
9/6 Double Double Bonus
98.98%
£2.55
8/5 Jacks or Better
97.3%
£6.75
Joker Poker at 94.00%
94.00%
£15.00
At 25p per hand (five coins at 5p), 1,000 hands puts £250 through the game. On 9/6 Jacks or Better the expected loss is £250 × 0.46% = £1.15; on the weakest Joker Poker tables it is £250 × 6% = £15. Those figures assume perfect strategy, so real play costs a little more. See theoretical loss for how casinos use the same calculation.
How video poker RTP compares with other casino games
A well-chosen video poker table sits among the cheapest games in the casino, alongside the main bets at baccarat and craps. A weak one is closer to a typical slot. The house edges below come from the Wizard of Odds house edge table (opens in a new tab) and standard game maths.
The slot range is a broad figure from Wizard of Odds, not a UK-specific one; individual slots publish their own RTPs, and many run at different settings at different casinos. The two are compared in detail on our video poker vs slots page, and the full list is on our house edge by casino game page.
Why your results won't match video poker RTP
RTP is an average across an enormous number of hands. Over a few hundred hands, the gap between what you expected to lose and what actually happened is usually much larger than the expected loss itself. The reason is that the spread of results grows with the square root of the number of hands, while the expected loss grows in direct proportion, so the average only takes over over very long runs. Our law of large numbers page shows this with examples.
Video poker adds its own twist. The chance of being dealt a royal flush outright is 4 in 2,598,960, or 1 in 649,740, and even with draws it remains rare. Because the royal pays 800 per coin, part of the RTP is locked in an event that many players never see. Without it, the return from the other hands is lower than the headline figure. That is part of why video poker volatility differs so much between games: Double Double Bonus leans heavily on four-of-a-kind bonuses, while Jacks or Better spreads more of its return across everyday hands such as two pair.
How to find a video poker game's RTP at a UK casino
Open the game and look for an info, help or "i" button.
Find the stated RTP or house edge; UK-licensed games must give information about your chances of winning before you play.
Note the game name and read the pay table rows that set the return.
Compare the stated figure with the published return for that game and table.
Check the coin rules: the stated RTP usually assumes the maximum coin bet.
Decide your stake and session length, then work out the expected loss using total turnover.
The Commission's standards require the rules and potential payouts to be easily available before you commit to gamble, and allow operators to show the RTP, the house edge or the probability of winning. More detail is in our guide to UK RTP display rules.
Common myths about video poker RTP
"The RTP is what I'll get back today." It is a long-run average. A single session can end anywhere.
"A machine that hasn't paid a royal is due one." Each hand is independent; see independent events.
"Casinos can tighten video poker after a big win." The return is fixed by the pay table and game rules, which are tested before release. A different return means a different pay table, which you can see on screen.
"Higher RTP means more frequent wins." Not necessarily. RTP measures the average, not how often you win. Two tables with similar RTPs can pay out in very different patterns.
Where to play video poker and how the offers fit
Our partners' welcome offers are slot-focused. Video poker is often excluded from bonuses or contributes less to wagering, so the offers below are not a route to video poker value. 18+ and terms apply. Look in each casino's game lobby to see whether video poker is available and check its RTP in the help screen.
Casumo: new customers who opt in get a 50% bonus up to £100 on a first deposit of £20 or more; the bonus must be wagered 10x within 7 days, the maximum bet is £5 while it is active, and game, play and payment restrictions apply.
10bet: new UK customers who select the casino welcome bonus and deposit within 7 days get a 100% match up to £25, wagered 10x on slots within 3 days; maximum bonus winnings are £1,000 and Skrill or Neteller deposits are excluded.
Coral: new players who deposit and bet £10+ on slots receive 100 free spins worth 10p each on selected games, accepted within 48 hours and valid for 7 days, with no wagering on winnings; PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and some other deposit types don't qualify. Offer period 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers only. Select the casino welcome bonus at sign-up and make your first deposit within 7 days. 100% bonus up to £25. Wager the bonus 10x on slots within 3 days. Maximum bonus winnings £1,000. Skrill and Neteller deposits do not qualify. Bonus is not redeemable. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our 10bet reviewLicence: Blue Star Planet Limited, Gambling Commission account 43173. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTP of video poker?
It depends on the game and pay table: standard analysis gives 99.54% for 9/6 Jacks or Better, 97.3% for 8/5, 100.76% for Full Pay Deuces Wild and as low as 94.00% for weak Joker Poker tables. All of those assume optimal strategy and the maximum coin bet, so real-world returns are slightly lower. Check the game's help screen for its stated figure. Our RTP explained page covers the concept across all games.
Which video poker game has the highest RTP?
Full Pay Deuces Wild has the highest RTP among common games, at 100.76% with optimal strategy. The best Joker Poker table follows at 100.64% and 10/7 Double Bonus at 100.17%. These need complex strategy and the maximum bet, and UK online availability has to be checked game by game. For an easier game, 9/6 Jacks or Better at 99.54% is the usual choice. See what is the best video poker game.
Is video poker RTP higher than slots?
Usually, if you pick a strong pay table and play well. 9/6 Jacks or Better returns 99.54% with optimal play, while Wizard of Odds gives a general house edge range of 2% to 15% for slots. A weak video poker table played badly can fall into slot territory, though. Each slot publishes its own RTP, so compare specific games. The differences are set out on our video poker vs slots page.
Does my strategy affect video poker RTP?
Yes, the published RTP is only reached with optimal decisions on every hand. Each misplay lowers the return you actually get, so a casual player on 9/6 Jacks or Better will average below 99.54%. In the UK, the RTP shown for a game with a skill element is based on an auto-play or standard published strategy. A practical hold order is in the video poker strategy guide.
Why does betting fewer coins lower the RTP?
Because the royal flush usually pays 800 per coin only on the maximum coin bet, and a lower rate on fewer coins. The royal is rare but valuable, so cutting its payout pulls the overall return down. To stake less without losing return, reduce the coin value and keep betting all the coins. The royal flush in video poker answer has examples in pounds.
Can you make money from video poker with a 100% RTP?
Not in any practical sense. Tables above 100% return only a fraction of a percent more than is staked, and only with flawless strategy over a very long run. Much of that return comes from rare hands, so most sessions still lose. Video poker should be treated as paid entertainment. Our page on how casinos make money explains why the house still comes out ahead overall.
How do I work out expected loss from video poker RTP?
Multiply your total turnover by 100% minus the RTP. For example, 1,000 hands at 25p is £250 of turnover; on a 99.54% table that gives an expected loss of £1.15, and on a 97.3% table about £6.75. Use turnover rather than deposit, because winnings are usually staked again. Our expected value guide shows the same method for other games.
Do UK casinos have to show video poker RTP?
UK-licensed casinos must give information that lets you judge your chances of winning before you play, under the Gambling Commission's technical standards. That can be the RTP, the house edge or the probability of winning events, and the pay table must also be easily available. Look in the game's help or info screen. Our UK RTP information rules page explains the requirements.
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