Video poker max coins: a bigger royal payout, not better odds

Betting more coins can increase a royal flush payout. It does not make the winning card more likely.

On the Jacks or Better payout table we checked, one coin pays 250 coins for a royal flush. Five coins pay 4,000 coins. That is five times the bet for sixteen times the royal payout.

What we found

• The royal payout gets a bonus at five coins. It rises by more than the size of the bet.
• The cards do not change. The same draw has the same chance of completing a royal.
• Check the total cost. “Five coins” can mean different dollar amounts on different games.

A payout table lists what each winning hand pays. Check the selected game's table; not all games use these awards.

One card needed, one chance in 47

Imagine you hold the 10, jack, queen, and king of spades. You discard a seven of hearts and draw one replacement card.

Only the ace of spades completes the royal flush. There are 47 possible replacement cards, so the royal chance is 1 in 47 with either bet.

Bet	Royal chance in this draw	Royal payout
1 coin	1 in 47	250 coins
5 coins	1 in 47	4,000 coins

This is the chance after that exact starting hand, not the chance of a royal on every deal. You must choose your bet before the cards are dealt.

Five coins need not mean spending more dollars

Suppose two games offer the same payout rules but different coin values:

Setting	Cost per hand	Royal payout
1 coin worth 25 cents	$0.25	$62.50
5 coins worth 5 cents each	$0.25	$200.00

Both bets cost 25 cents. The five-coin setting pays more for a royal because it qualifies for the extra award.

This comparison only works if both settings are available with the same other payouts and rules. A cheaper coin value can come with a worse payout table.

What to check before playing

Check these three things in the game's help panel:

1. The total dollar cost per hand.
2. The royal payout at your chosen coin count.
3. Whether the other hand payouts change at a lower coin value.

A larger royal award does not guarantee a profit. Do not increase your budget just to reach the maximum coin count.

For a bonus, check game eligibility and wagering contribution before using the bonus value calculator. Use the return for the whole game, not the result of this one strong starting hand.

How we checked the draw

We counted all 47 possible replacement cards. One makes a royal, one a straight flush, seven a flush, six a straight, and nine a paying pair. The other 23 pay nothing.

The count is the same at both stakes. Only the payouts change. Even this strong starting hand can return nothing.

Sources: Wizard of Odds Jacks or Better payout table and explanation of the maximum-coin royal award.