The short answer
Full-pay machines are mathematically superior, returning roughly 99.54% on Jacks or Better, while short-pay machines (like 8/5) drop that return to 97.30%, costing you an extra $2.24 for every $100 you wager.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Full Pay (9/6) | Short Pay (8/5) | Short Pay (6/5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full House Payout | 9-for-1 | 8-for-1 | 6-for-1 |
| Flush Payout | 6-for-1 | 5-for-1 | 5-for-1 |
| Expected Return (RTP) | 99.54% | 97.30% | 95.00% |
| House Edge | 0.46% | 2.70% | 5.00% |
| Loss per $1,000 Wagered | $4.60 | $27.00 | $50.00 |
When to pick one over the other
You should only pick a short-pay machine if it is the only game available and the alternative is a slot machine with a 10% house edge. In most Vegas or regional casinos, full-pay machines are hidden in high-traffic areas with lower denominations, while short-pay machines are placed where tourists congregate. If the paytable says 8/5 or 6/5, walk away and find the 9/6.
What both have in common
Both versions use the same RNG mechanics and the same 52-card virtual deck. The probability of hitting a Royal Flush (1 in 40,391) remains identical on both machines; the only thing the casino changes to increase their profit is the payout amount for the Full House and the Flush.
In Detail
Full-pay versus short-pay is the difference between a fair-looking machine and a quietly expensive one. The buttons are the same. The rules are the same. The payout lines are not.
What the machine is really asking
At the machine, Full Pay vs. Short Pay should start with the paytable, not the theme, not the chair, and not the fact that the screen says “poker.” A player who checks only the jackpot line is reading the advertisement, not the contract. The lower-paying full house, flush, straight, or four-of-a-kind line is often where the casino quietly takes its extra margin.
A video poker paytable is not a suggestion; it is the game. If the paytable is short, perfect strategy can only reduce the damage. It cannot turn a bad schedule into a good one.
The math behind the hold
For any video poker page, the core math is $RTP=1-\text{House Edge}$ and $EV=\sum p_i\times x_i-\text{bet}$. The player controls part of the result through the hold decision, but the paytable sets the ceiling.
A clean way to think about the subject is this: the casino does not need every hand, spin, or roll to lose. It only needs the average price to be in its favor after enough decisions. One lucky hit can beat the math for a moment; repeated action lets the math stand back up.
The mistake that gets expensive
The big mistake is thinking a familiar game name guarantees a familiar return. It does not. A short-pay machine can look identical until the paytable takes its quiet bite.
The punchy rule is simple: do not pay extra just because the game made the extra bet easy to reach. Felt layout is not advice. A glowing machine screen is not advice. A cheering table is not advice. Your bankroll needs numbers, not applause.
The casino-floor truth
The casino-floor truth about Full Pay vs. Short Pay is simple: good players look boring. They check the paytable, play slower than slot players, use a strategy chart when allowed, and do not celebrate bad holds that accidentally won. The machine pays outcomes, but the edge is shaped before the draw button is pressed.
The practical takeaway for full pay vs. short pay: slow down, read the paytable, and make the correct hold even when the prettier choice is begging for attention. In video poker, discipline is not a motivational poster. It is part of the return.