Two of the most popular video poker variants at online casinos are All American Poker and Jacks or Better. Both online casino games make for interesting comparison because they have basic similarities with subtle differences. And the comparison illustrates how these differences can alter the nature of the game.

Most video poker variants differ in the poker hand rankings on the payout table. For example wild card variants often begin paying with three of a kind instead jacks or better. Some bonus video poker games have different payouts for four of a kind hands based on the rank of the fifth card. But All American Poker and Jacks or Better have identical hand rankings. Both start with a pair of jacks or better as the lowest ranking hand in the payout table and move upwards in the same sequence to royal flush. 

The difference between All American Poker and Jacks or Better lies in the payouts for some of the hand rankings. Payouts for five coins wagered in the Microgaming versions of both these video poker variants have been used in the discussion. Straight flush pays out 1000 coins in All American Poker and 250 coins in Jacks or Better. Four of a kind pays out 170 coins in All American Poker and 125 coins in Jacks or Better. Full house pays out 40 coins in All American Poker and 45 coins in Jacks or Better. Flush pays out 40 coins in All American Poker and 30 coins in Jacks or Better. Straight pays out 40 coins in All American Poker and 20 coins in Jacks or Better. Two pairs pays out 5 coins in All American Poker and 10 coins in Jacks or Better. The other hand rankings pay out the same for both games out 5 coins in both cases.

Two hand rankings are crucial for analysis. Straight flush pays out significantly more in All American Poker. But this hand is dealt only 0.011% of the time. Therefore the larger payout comes into play only rarely. Two pairs pays out more in Jacks or Better. Though the payout is greater by only 5 coins, the significant factor is that this hand is dealt 12.9% of the time. Therefore the apparently insignificantly larger payout comes into play more often.

The different payouts in the two variants of video poker have been so cleverly chosen that the overall average payout ratio is comparable. American Poker has an average payout ratio of 99.3% and Jacks or Better has an average payout ratio of 99.5%. Hence purely from this point of view there is little to choose between the two online casino games. It must be stated that the average payout ratios assume that players will make the hold choices within the game in an optimal manner.

But the significantly higher payouts in All American Poker for the less often occurring hand rankings indicate that this video poker variant is much more volatile. It will be preferred by players who are not interested in small winnings. These players will not mind depleting their bankrolls, but if they win then they want to win big. The slightly higher payouts in Jacks or Better for the frequently occurring hand rankings indicate that this video poker variant is not volatile. It will be preferred by players who are risk averse and who prefer to preserve their bankrolls.