Video Poker Odds Calculator

Calculate exact probabilities, payouts, and expected returns for every video poker hand across different game variants and pay tables.

Formula:Expected Return = Σ (Hand Probability × Payout)

Expected Return

97.27%

House edge: 2.73%

Game Variant

Jacks or Better 9/6 (Full Pay)

Selected pay table

Different pay tables affect expected return

Hand Probabilities & Payouts

HandPayoutOddsProbabilityReturn %
Royal Flush800:11 in 400,0000.0003%0.20%
Straight Flush50:11 in 90,0900.0011%0.06%
Four of a Kind25:11 in 4240.2360%5.90%
Full House9:11 in 871.1510%10.36%
Flush6:11 in 911.1020%6.61%
Straight4:11 in 891.1230%4.49%
Three of a Kind3:11 in 137.4450%22.34%
Two Pair2:11 in 812.9280%25.86%
Jacks or Better1:11 in 521.4590%21.46%
Total Return97.27%

Return Analysis

97.27%
Expected Return
2.73%
House Edge
400,000
Hands per Royal
19.5
Variance

Quick Answer

In 9/6 Jacks or Better, a Royal Flush (1 in 40,391) pays 800:1, while a Full House (1 in 87) pays 9:1. With $1.25 bet (max coins), expected return is 99.54%.

Key Facts

  • ✓Royal Flush occurs approximately once every 40,391 hands
  • ✓Full pay 9/6 Jacks or Better has 99.54% return with perfect play
  • ✓Pair of Jacks or better occurs about 21% of the time
  • ✓A $1.25 max bet is required for the royal flush bonus
  • ✓Four of a Kind contributes about 6% of total return

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the odds of hitting a Royal Flush in video poker?▼
The probability of being dealt a Royal Flush in Jacks or Better is approximately 1 in 40,391 hands when playing optimal strategy. At 600 hands per hour, you would expect one Royal about every 67 hours of play. With a $1.25 max bet, the royal pays $1,000 (4,000 credits at $0.25 per credit).
Why does video poker have better odds than slot machines?▼
Video poker odds are mathematically determinable because the game uses a standard 52-card deck. Unlike slots where payback is hidden, video poker pay tables are visible and the probabilities are known. Full pay machines can return over 99% with optimal play.
What is the most common winning hand in video poker?▼
A pair of Jacks or better is the most common winning hand, occurring about 21.5% of the time. This represents almost half of all winning hands. High pairs (Jacks through Aces) occur more frequently than any other paying combination.
How do different pay tables affect video poker odds?▼
The pay table dramatically affects your expected return. In Jacks or Better, a 9/6 machine (9 for full house, 6 for flush) returns 99.54%, while an 8/5 machine returns only 97.30%. That's a 2.24% difference - on $1,000 wagered, you'd lose $22.40 more on the worse machine.