Video Poker EV Calculator: Expected Value Strategy (2026)
Video Poker EV Calculator: Maximize Every Hand's Value
Video poker combines skill with gambling—your decisions directly affect expected value. Our calculator analyzes any hand, shows the EV of each possible hold, and guides you to the mathematically optimal play for maximum long-term return.
What Is Video Poker EV?
Expected Value (EV) in video poker is the average return you'll receive from a hand based on which cards you hold. Perfect strategy means always choosing the hold with highest EV.
Quick Answer: EV = Σ(Payout × Probability) for all possible outcomes. Holding a low pair vs 4 to a flush? Calculate the EV of each: Low pair EV ≈ 0.82, 4-flush EV ≈ 1.22. Hold the flush draw. Our calculator computes these decisions instantly, showing the mathematically correct play for any hand.
How to Use Our Video Poker EV Calculator
Use the Video Poker EV Calculator →
Enter your five cards to see EV for every possible hold option.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select Game: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, etc.
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Enter Pay Table: Specific payouts
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Input Your Cards: All five dealt cards
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View All Hold Options: Every possible combination
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See Best Hold: Highest EV option highlighted
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Game Type | VP variant | Jacks or Better |
| Pay Table | Payout structure | 9/6 |
| Your Cards | Dealt hand | A♠ K♠ Q♠ 7♥ 3♦ |
| Best Hold | Optimal decision | A♠ K♠ Q♠ |
| Hold EV | Expected return | 1.387 |
Understanding EV Numbers
EV Scale
| EV Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0.00 | Lose entire bet |
| 0.50 | Lose half bet on average |
| 1.00 | Break even |
| 1.50 | Win 50% on average |
| 5.00+ | Strong winning hand |
EV Interpretation
EV of 1.28 means:
For every $1 bet, you'll average $1.28 back
Net profit: $0.28 per dollar wagered
Common Hold Decisions
High Cards vs Drawing Hands
| Hand | Hold Option 1 | EV | Hold Option 2 | EV | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J♠-10♠-7♥-4♣-2♦ | J♠ | 0.47 | J♠-10♠ | 0.58 | J-10 suited |
| K♥-Q♠-5♦-4♣-3♥ | K♥-Q♠ | 0.49 | K♥ | 0.45 | K-Q |
| A♠-K♠-J♥-8♦-3♣ | A♠-K♠ | 0.59 | A♠ | 0.48 | A-K suited |
Pairs vs Draws
| Hand | Pair EV | Draw EV | Correct Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3♣-3♦-Q♠-J♠-10♠ | 0.82 | 1.28 (3-straight flush) | Draw |
| 3♣-3♦-K♠-Q♠-5♥ | 0.82 | 0.58 (K-Q) | Pair |
| 7♥-7♠-A♦-K♣-Q♦ | 0.82 | 0.49 (A-K-Q) | Pair |
Made Hands vs Draws
| Hand | Made Hand EV | Draw EV | Correct Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q♠-Q♥-J♠-10♠-9♠ | 1.54 (high pair) | 3.40 (4-SF) | 4-Straight Flush |
| J♠-J♥-10♠-9♠-8♠ | 1.54 (high pair) | 3.40 (4-SF) | 4-Straight Flush |
| K♥-K♠-A♣-J♦-10♣ | 1.54 (high pair) | 0.60 (4-straight) | Keep pair |
EV by Hand Type (9/6 Jacks or Better)
Made Hands EV
| Hand | Payout | EV |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800:1 | 800.00 |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 | 50.00 |
| Four of a Kind | 25:1 | 25.00 |
| Full House | 9:1 | 9.00 |
| Flush | 6:1 | 6.00 |
| Straight | 4:1 | 4.00 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 | 3.00 |
| Two Pair | 2:1 | 2.00 |
| Jacks or Better | 1:1 | 1.00 |
Drawing Hands EV
| Hold | Approximate EV |
|---|---|
| 4 to Royal Flush | 18.66 |
| 4 to Straight Flush | 3.40 |
| 4 to Flush | 1.22 |
| Low Pair | 0.82 |
| 4 to Outside Straight | 0.68 |
| 3 to Royal Flush | 1.41 |
| AKQJ unsuited | 0.68 |
| 3 to Straight Flush | 0.63 |
| 2 High Cards | 0.49-0.59 |
| 1 High Card | 0.45-0.48 |
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Classic Decision
Hand: K♠-Q♠-J♠-10♠-3♥
Options:
- Hold K-Q-J-10-3 (no match): EV = 0.26
- Hold K-Q-J-10♠ (4 to Royal): EV = 18.66
- Hold K-Q-J-10 (4 to Straight): EV = 3.40
Correct: Hold 4 to Royal (discard 3♥)
Example 2: Pair vs Four Flush
Hand: 6♥-6♦-A♠-K♠-Q♠
Options:
- Hold 6-6 (low pair): EV = 0.82
- Hold A-K-Q♠ (3 to Royal): EV = 1.41
Correct: Hold 3 to Royal
Example 3: High Pair vs Four Flush
Hand: J♠-J♥-9♦-8♦-7♦
Options:
- Hold J-J (high pair): EV = 1.54
- Hold 9-8-7♦ (3 to SF): EV = 0.63
Correct: Keep the Jacks
Example 4: Garbage Hand
Hand: 2♥-5♣-7♦-9♠-K♥
Options:
- Hold K only: EV = 0.47
- Hold nothing: EV = 0.36
Correct: Hold the King
Strategy by Game Type
Jacks or Better EV Hierarchy
- Royal Flush (always hold)
- Straight Flush (always hold)
- 4 of a Kind (always hold)
- 4 to Royal Flush
- Full House
- Flush
- 3 of a Kind
- Straight
- 4 to Straight Flush
- Two Pair
Deuces Wild Adjustments
| Situation | JoB Decision | Deuces Wild Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Low pair vs 4-flush | Keep pair | Break pair for flush |
| 3 deuces + any | N/A | Keep deuces only |
| Deuce + nothing | N/A | Keep deuce |
Pay Table Impact on EV
Same Hand, Different Tables
Hand: 4 to a Flush
| Pay Table | Flush Payout | 4-Flush EV |
|---|---|---|
| 9/6 JoB | 6:1 | 1.22 |
| 8/5 JoB | 5:1 | 1.02 |
| 7/5 JoB | 5:1 | 1.02 |
| 6/5 JoB | 5:1 | 1.02 |
Game Selection by EV
| Game | Pay Table | Return % |
|---|---|---|
| Deuces Wild | Full Pay | 100.76% |
| Double Bonus | 10/7/5 | 100.17% |
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 | 99.54% |
| Jacks or Better | 8/5 | 97.30% |
| Jacks or Better | 6/5 | 95.00% |
Common EV Mistakes
1. Keeping Kickers
Mistake: Holding A-K with pair of 3s Problem: Kickers have zero value Correct: Hold only the pair (EV = 0.82)
2. Breaking High Pairs for Long Shots
Mistake: Breaking Q-Q for 3 to straight flush Problem: High pair EV (1.54) > 3-SF EV (0.63) Correct: Keep the Queens
3. Holding Too Many Cards
Mistake: Keeping 4 unsuited high cards Problem: Reduces draw possibilities Correct: Hold best 2-3 high cards
4. Ignoring Game Specifics
Mistake: Using Jacks or Better strategy in Deuces Wild Problem: Deuces change all EV calculations Correct: Use game-specific strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EV of 0.82 mean for a low pair?
On average, keeping a low pair returns 82 cents per dollar wagered. You'll often lose, sometimes improve to trips or better.
Should I always play the highest EV?
Yes, for maximum long-term return. Short-term results will vary, but math wins over time.
Why does a 4-card royal beat a made flush?
4-to-Royal EV (18.66) > Flush EV (6.00). The huge royal payout justifies breaking the flush.
How do I memorize all the EV rankings?
Learn the simplified strategy chart (about 30 decision points). Our calculator verifies edge cases.
Does bet size affect EV calculations?
Only for royals with max coin bonus. Otherwise, EV percentages are constant regardless of bet size.
Can EV be negative?
No, but it can be less than 1.00, meaning negative expected profit. EV of 0.36 means you lose 64 cents per dollar on average.
Advanced EV Concepts
Penalty Cards
Cards that hurt your draws:
| Situation | Penalty | EV Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 3-to-RF with 4th suited card | Yes | Reduces RF outs |
| 3-to-SF with straight card | Yes | Complex |
Multi-Line Video Poker
Same EV per hand, multiplied by lines:
- 1 line × 5 coins = base EV
- 50 lines × 1 coin = 50 × (base EV ÷ 5)
Progressive Jackpots
Royal Flush EV increases:
Progressive EV = Standard EV + (Jackpot - Standard) × Royal Probability
Pro Tips
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Always max bet: Royal flush bonus requires 5 coins
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Find full-pay games: Pay table determines long-term return
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Use the calculator: Verify non-obvious decisions
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Practice free games: Build pattern recognition
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Track actual results: Verify you're playing correctly
Related Calculators
- Video Poker Pay Table Calculator - Compare games
- Video Poker Odds Calculator - Probability analysis
- Jacks or Better Calculator - JoB strategy
- Deuces Wild Calculator - Wild card strategy
- Video Poker Variance Calculator - Bankroll needs
Conclusion
Video poker EV calculations turn gambling into a skill game. Our calculator shows the expected value of every possible hold, guiding you to mathematically optimal decisions. Master EV thinking, find full-pay games, and video poker becomes one of the best bets in the casino.
Calculate Your Video Poker EV Now →
Every video poker decision has a right answer—the hold with highest EV. Our calculator removes the guesswork, showing you exactly which cards to keep for maximum expected return. Learn the patterns, trust the math, and play perfect strategy.
