All American Poker is one of the most unusual video poker games because it pays the same amount for a Full House, Flush, and Straight. In the full-pay version, all three pay 8-for-1 — and the game returns over 100%, giving the player an edge over the house. But the strategy is radically different from Jacks or Better, and most players don't realize how much they're leaving on the table.
What Makes All American Unique
The defining feature is the equal payout for Full House, Flush, and Straight, plus a massive 200-for-1 Straight Flush. Compare this to JoB:
| Hand | All American (Full Pay) | Jacks or Better (9/6) |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 200 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 40 | 25 |
| Full House | 8 | 9 |
| Flush | 8 | 6 |
| Straight | 8 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 2 |
The Straight Flush is worth four times what it is in JoB, and Straights pay double. But Two Pair drops to 1-for-1 (even money), which is the same tradeoff as Double Bonus — more volatility in exchange for bigger payouts on premium hands.
Pay Table Comparison
| Hand | Full Pay 8/8/8 | 8/8/6 | 6/6/6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Four of a Kind | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Full House | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Flush | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Straight | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTP | 100.72% | 99.60% | 96.55% |
Full pay All American at 100.72% is one of the highest-returning standard video poker games — second only to Full Pay Deuces Wild (100.76%).
Hourly Impact
At $0.25 denomination, 600 hands per hour:
| Pay Table | RTP | Hourly Result |
|---|---|---|
| 8/8/8 | 100.72% | +$5.40 (profit) |
| 8/8/6 | 99.60% | $3.00 (loss) |
| 6/6/6 | 96.55% | $25.88 (loss) |
Strategy Is Very Different from JoB
Because Straights and Flushes both pay 8-for-1 (double what JoB pays for Straights), the strategy shifts dramatically:
- Four to a Straight is much more valuable. In JoB, an open-ended Straight draw competes poorly against holding a pair. In All American, it's often the right play to break a low pair for a four-card Straight.
- Flush draws are no more valuable than Straight draws. In JoB, Flush draws dominate Straight draws because Flushes pay more. In All American they pay the same, so the number of outs matters more than the type of draw.
- Straight Flush draws are extremely valuable. At 200-for-1, even a three-card Straight Flush can be worth holding.
Using JoB strategy on All American will cost you approximately 1.5% in return — more than most pay table differences.
Why Full Pay Is Nearly Impossible to Find
At 100.72%, full-pay All American gives the player a significant edge. Casinos know this and have largely pulled these machines or downgraded them to 8/8/6 or worse. If you find the full-pay version, it's almost certainly at a low denomination at a locals casino.
The 8/8/6 version at 99.60% is a more realistic target and still one of the better games available.
Bottom Line
All American is a unique game with exciting payouts and genuine player-edge potential at full pay. But the strategy is completely different from JoB — learn it separately or you'll erase the mathematical advantage. Look for the 8/8/8 pay table, and settle for 8/8/6 if that's the best available.