Video Poker Paytable Checklist: PH Casino Beginner Walkthrough

Posted on October 9, 2026

Why Video Poker Deserves a Spot on Your Casino Night

You have probably walked past rows of glowing video poker terminals at Resorts World Manila or Okada Manila and wondered if they are worth your time. They absolutely are, especially if you want a game where skill actually shifts the odds in your favour. Unlike slots, where the house edge is fixed and hidden, video poker hands you a paytable that tells you almost everything. The catch? You need to read it. This walkthrough gives you a quick checklist so you can sit down, size up a machine, and decide within seconds whether it is worth your bankroll. We will focus on the most common variants you will find across Philippine casinos, from Jacks or Better to Deuces Wild, and I will point out the exact numbers that separate a profitable session from a donation to the house.

The Three Numbers You Must Check Before You Play

Every video poker paytable boils down to three critical figures: the return on a full house, the return on a flush, and the payout for a royal flush. These three numbers define the game's overall return to player (RTP). Here is your checklist:

Full House: Should pay at least 9 coins for a 1-credit bet on a 9/6 Jacks or Better machine. If it pays 8 or 7, the house edge jumps significantly.
Flush: Should pay 6 coins per credit on the same game. A 9/5 machine (full house 9, flush 5) is noticeably worse.
Royal Flush: Usually 250 coins per credit, or 4000 coins for a 5-credit max bet. Some casinos offer a progressive jackpot that can push this higher, but the base game might have a lower paytable to compensate.

In Philippine casinos, the most common Jacks or Better machine is the 9/6 variety, which returns 99.54% with perfect play. However, many casinos now offer 8/5 or even 7/5 versions, especially in high-traffic areas. Your job is to find the 9/6. If you cannot, consider another game or another casino. For example, Solaire Resort & Casino typically offers 9/6 Jacks or Better on its main floor, while some smaller casinos in Clark might only have 8/5. Always check the paytable before you play.

Jacks or Better: The Gold Standard for Beginners

Jacks or Better is the vanilla of video poker, and that is a compliment. The rules are simple: you get five cards, you choose which to hold, and you win if you end up with a pair of Jacks or better. The paytable looks like this (per coin bet):

Royal Flush: 250 (4000 on max bet)
Straight Flush: 50
Four of a Kind: 25
Full House: 9
Flush: 6
Straight: 4
Three of a Kind: 3
Two Pair: 2
Jacks or Better: 1

That is the 9/6 version, which returns 99.54% with optimal strategy. If you see a full house paying 8 and a flush paying 5, that is an 8/5 machine with a 97.30% return. The difference might seem small, but over a thousand hands, it adds up. For instance, on a 5-credit bet at ₱10 per credit, you are wagering ₱50 per hand. Over 1000 hands, that is ₱50,000 in action. The 9/6 game would lose you about ₱230 on average, while the 8/5 game would lose you ₱1,350. That is a huge gap. So always hunt for the 9/6.

Strategy tip: Never hold a kicker with a low pair. If you have a pair of 5s and a King, discard the King. The math favours drawing three cards to the pair.

Bonus Poker and Double Bonus: When Multipliers Change Everything

Bonus Poker is a variation that pays extra for four of a kind, especially Aces. The paytable typically looks like this (per coin):

Royal Flush: 250
Straight Flush: 50
Four Aces: 80
Four 2s, 3s, 4s: 40
Four 5s through Kings: 25
Full House: 8
Flush: 5
Straight: 4
Three of a Kind: 3
Two Pair: 2
Jacks or Better: 1

This is an 8/5 Bonus Poker, which returns 99.17% with perfect play. Note that the full house and flush pay less than Jacks or Better, but the four of a kind bonuses make up for it. Double Bonus Poker goes further: four Aces pay 160, four 2s-4s pay 80, and four 5s-Ks pay 50. However, the full house and flush drop to 7/5, giving a return of 99.11%. These games are more volatile, meaning you can lose your bankroll faster if you do not hit the big hands. For beginners, Jacks or Better is safer, but if you want a shot at a bigger payout, Bonus Poker is a solid step up. In Philippine casinos, Bonus Poker is common at City of Dreams Manila, often on machines with a ₱5 minimum bet.

Deuces Wild: The Wild Card That Changes Your Strategy

In Deuces Wild, all four 2s are wild, which means they can substitute for any card to make a winning hand. This drastically changes the paytable and the strategy. A standard full-pay Deuces Wild paytable looks like this (per coin):

Royal Flush (no wilds): 250
Five of a Kind: 75
Straight Flush: 45
Four of a Kind: 20
Full House: 15
Flush: 10
Straight: 5
Three of a Kind: 3
Two Pair: 2
Jacks or Better: 1

This is the 15/10 version, which returns 100.76% with perfect play. Yes, you read that right, a positive expectation game. However, many casinos tweak the paytable to 14/10 or 13/10, which reduces the return to 99.54% and 98.80% respectively. The key numbers to check are the full house and flush payouts. If they are 15 and 10, you have found a gem. If they are 10 and 8, walk away. In the Philippines, full-pay Deuces Wild is rare but can be found at Okada Manila and sometimes at Solaire. Always check the paytable before you commit. Also, note that the strategy for Deuces Wild is more complex: you need to adjust for the wild cards, and a pair of 2s is not always a winning hand (it is just two wilds).

Progressive Jackpots: Are They Worth the Hype?

Many video poker machines in Philippine casinos offer a progressive jackpot, usually tied to a royal flush. The jackpot grows as more people play, and it can reach millions of pesos. But here is the catch: the base paytable is often reduced to fund the jackpot. For example, a Jacks or Better progressive might have a full house paying 8 and a flush paying 5 (8/5), which returns 97.30% without the jackpot. The progressive meter might add enough to make it worthwhile if the jackpot is high enough. As a rule of thumb, on a 9/6 Jacks or Better progressive, the jackpot needs to exceed ₱1,000,000 (on a 5-credit bet) to make the game positive. On an 8/5 game, the jackpot needs to be much higher, often over ₱2,500,000. You can calculate the exact break-even point by dividing the paytable deficit by the probability of hitting the royal. But for a beginner, the simpler advice is: if the paytable is 9/6 and the jackpot is over ₱1,000,000, it is worth a shot. If the paytable is 8/5 or worse, the jackpot is usually a sucker bet. In Philippine casinos, progressives are common at Resorts World Manila and City of Dreams, with meters often starting at ₱500,000. Always check the paytable first.

Bankroll and Session Checklist for Video Poker

Before you sit down, run through this quick checklist to make sure you are playing the best game for your bankroll:

Check the paytable: Look for 9/6 Jacks or Better, 8/5 Bonus Poker, or 15/10 Deuces Wild. If the numbers are lower, move on.
Decide on your bet size: Always play max credits (usually 5) to qualify for the royal flush bonus. On a 9/6 game, the royal pays 4000 coins on max bet, but only 250 per coin on smaller bets. That is a huge difference. For example, if you bet 1 credit and hit a royal, you get 250 credits. If you bet 5 credits, you get 4000 credits. The extra 4 credits cost you 4 credits, but the payout increases by 3750 credits. Always max bet.
Set a session limit: Video poker is fast. You can play 500 hands in an hour. At ₱10 per credit and 5 credits per hand, that is ₱25,000 in action per hour. Even with a 99.54% return, you could lose ₱1,150 in an hour on average. So set a loss limit, say ₱5,000, and stick to it.
Use a strategy card: Perfect play is essential to achieve the advertised return. You can find free strategy charts online or buy a pocket card. In Philippine casinos, you can bring a strategy card; the dealers do not mind.
Take breaks: Video poker is mentally taxing. A mistake in strategy can cost you. Take a break every 30 minutes.

Also, consider the casino's comps and VIP programs. For example, Solaire Resort & Casino offers a player's card that earns points at a rate of 1 point per ₱100 wagered. You can redeem points for free play, meals, or hotel stays. The VIP tiers are: Gold (₱500,000 lifetime wagering), Platinum (₱2,000,000), and Diamond (₱5,000,000). Higher tiers get better bonuses, like a 10% bonus on free play and faster withdrawal processing (usually within 24 hours for Diamond members, compared to 72 hours for regular players). If you plan to play regularly, always use your card.

Where to Play Video Poker in the Philippines

Not all Philippine casinos are created equal when it comes to video poker. Here is a quick rundown of the major venues and what they offer:

Resorts World Manila: Wide selection of Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker, mostly 9/6 and 8/5. Progressive jackpots on some machines. Minimum bet ₱5 per credit.
Okada Manila: Known for full-pay Deuces Wild (15/10) and 9/6 Jacks or Better. High-limit area has ₱25 per credit machines. Progressive jackpots often exceed ₱1,000,000.
Solaire Resort & Casino: Good mix of 9/6 Jacks or Better and 8/5 Bonus Poker. VIP program is generous. Minimum bet ₱10 per credit.
City of Dreams Manila: Focus on Bonus Poker and Double Bonus. Paytables are mostly 8/5 and 7/5. Progressive jackpots on selected machines.
Clark casinos (e.g., Royce Hotel & Casino): Smaller selection, often 8/5 or 7/5 Jacks or Better. Lower minimum bets, starting at ₱2 per credit.

Before you travel, check the casino's website for current promotions. Many offer match play coupons or free play for new members. For example, Resorts World Manila often gives ₱500 free play when you sign up for a player's card and wager ₱5,000. That is a nice boost to your bankroll.