Last updated: April 2026
Playing max coins (5 credits) in Pickem Poker isn't just a betting preference — it's a fundamental RTP decision. The difference between max-coin and sub-max-coin play is approximately 3 percentage points of RTP, driven entirely by the Royal Flush bonus structure.
The max-coin Royal Flush bonus — exact numbers
| Coins wagered | Royal Flush pays | Per-coin Royal rate | Approximate total RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coin | 250 credits | 250-for-1 | ~97.0% |
| 2 coins | 500 credits | 250-for-1 | ~97.0% |
| 3 coins | 750 credits | 250-for-1 | ~97.0% |
| 4 coins | 1,000 credits | 250-for-1 | ~97.0% |
| 5 coins (max) | 4,000 credits | 800-for-1 | ~99.95% |
At 1–4 coins, all hands pay proportionally — double the coins, double the payout. The Royal Flush is the only exception. At 5 coins, the Royal Flush pays 4,000 credits instead of the proportional 1,250. This bonus accounts for roughly 3% of total long-run RTP.
What a 3% RTP gap costs in practice
On a $1.00 denomination game at 4 coins per hand ($4.00/hand), your RTP is approximately 97.0%. On the same game at 5 coins ($5.00/hand), your RTP is ~99.95%. The additional $1.00 per hand buys you approximately 3% more expected return.
| Session (300 hands) | Bet/hand | Coin-in | RTP | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.00 denom, 4 coins | $4.00 | $1,200 | ~97.0% | ~$36 |
| $1.00 denom, 5 coins (max) | $5.00 | $1,500 | ~99.95% | ~$0.75 |
| $0.25 denom, 5 coins (max) | $1.25 | $375 | ~99.95% | ~$0.19 |
Playing $1.00 denomination at 4 coins spends $1,200 in coin-in with ~$36 in expected loss. Playing $0.25 denomination at max coins (5 × $0.25 = $1.25/hand) spends $375 in coin-in with ~$0.19 in expected loss — less total exposure and dramatically better expected return. This is why denomination reduction is always the correct response to bankroll concerns, not coin reduction.
The correct approach when max coins strain your bankroll
The answer is always: lower denomination, keep max coins. Never: same denomination, fewer coins.
| Wrong approach | Right approach |
|---|---|
| $1.00 denomination, 3 coins = $3/hand at 97% RTP | $0.50 denomination, 5 coins = $2.50/hand at 99.95% RTP |
| $0.50 denomination, 2 coins = $1.00/hand at 97% RTP | $0.25 denomination, 5 coins = $1.25/hand at 99.95% RTP |
| $2.00 denomination, 4 coins = $8/hand at 97% RTP | $1.00 denomination, 5 coins = $5/hand at 99.95% RTP |
Does max-coin play change strategy decisions?
No — the strategy hierarchy is the same at any bet size. The four-card Royal draw is still Priority 1, high pairs still beat flush draws. The only thing max-coin play changes is the expected value of hitting the Royal, which is factored into the hierarchy already.
Is the Royal Flush really likely enough to justify the max-coin difference?
The Royal hits roughly once every 15,000–20,000 hands — rarely in any single session. But its contribution to long-run RTP is about 3–4% of total return across all sessions. The 3% RTP difference between max and sub-max play is real and compounds with volume. Over 10,000 hands at $5/hand, that 3% gap is $1,500 in expected value difference.