Payouts on Video Poker Machines

Dear Mark, Although a 6/5-video poker machine is not as good as a 9/6 machine, a slot attendant told me that the 6/5 machines typically hit more often, like high pairs. Was she really telling me the truth or pulling my leg? Michelle G.
Because every hand on every machine is a random, independent event, no slot attendant, or even the casino manager, has any "insider information" on which machines are ready to hit.
Video poker, Michelle, is based on a random number generator (RGN in gambling parlance), which is part of the computer program the produces the cards that you see on the screen. This means that no matter what the payout schedule is, any particular hand is just as likely to appear on one machine as on any other machine of the same type. Consequently, you are just as likely to make a flush whether your machine pays 6 for 1 or 5 for 1 on this hand. The advice you got from the slot attendant telling you to look for low paying machines is not only worthless, but over time quite costly.
*Note: The difference between a "9/6" and "6/5" machine is in the payout (per coin played) for a full house (9) and a flush (6), respectfully. Obviously, the 9/6 machine is the one to look for, among Jacks-or-better video poker machines, since it pays more than does a 6/5 machine for a full house and a flush.

Gambling thought of the week: "Why otherwise would that dignified fellow dressed like a banker be sitting at a slot machine murmuring; "Talk to me baby, I know you understand my needs." ‹Roger Fleming