Joker Poker Strategy Calculator
Learn optimal Joker Poker video poker strategy. Full-pay Joker Poker returns over 100% with perfect play - one of the few player-favorable casino games.
Formula:
Expected Return = Σ(Payout × Probability) × 100Expected Return
100.65%
House Edge
-0.65%
Player Advantage!
Variance
High
Due to wild card
100.65% return - player advantage!
🎉 Player Advantage Game!
Full-pay Joker Poker returns 100.65% with perfect strategy - you have a 0.65% edge over the casino! This is one of the few casino games where the player has a mathematical advantage.
Full Pay (Kings or Better) Pay Table
| Hand | Payout | Probability | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 800x | 0.0020% | 1.60% |
| Five of a Kind | 200x | 0.0110% | 2.20% |
| Wild Royal Flush | 100x | 0.0100% | 1.00% |
| Straight Flush | 50x | 0.0540% | 2.70% |
| Four of a Kind | 20x | 0.8530% | 17.06% |
| Full House | 7x | 1.5210% | 10.65% |
| Flush | 5x | 1.1060% | 5.53% |
| Straight | 3x | 1.8130% | 5.44% |
| Three of a Kind | 2x | 13.2390% | 26.48% |
| Two Pair | 1x | 10.9970% | 11.00% |
| Kings or Better | 1x | 15.0740% | 15.07% |
Strategy When You Have the Joker 🃏
1
Wild Royal Flush- Complete wild royal
2
Five of a Kind- Maximum payout except natural royal
3
Straight Flush- Complete straight flush with joker
4
Four of a Kind- Keep the four
5
Full House- Keep full house
6
Four to Royal Flush- Draw one for royal
7
Flush- Keep made flush
8
Straight- Keep made straight
9
Four to Straight Flush- Draw one for SF
10
Three of a Kind- Keep trips
If none of the above apply, keep just the joker and draw 4 new cards.
Strategy Without the Joker
1
Royal Flush- Keep natural royal
2
Straight Flush- Keep straight flush
3
Four of a Kind- Keep quads
4
Full House- Keep full house
5
Four to Royal Flush- Break flush for royal draw
6
Flush- Keep made flush
7
Straight- Keep made straight
8
Three of a Kind- Keep trips, draw two
9
Four to Straight Flush- Draw one for SF
10
Two Pair- Keep both pairs
11
High Pair (K or A)- Keep for guaranteed return
12
Three to Royal Flush- Draw two for royal
...continue with lower pairs, 4-card draws, and high cards.
Key Strategy Tips
- ★The joker is wild - it substitutes for any card
- ★Never discard the joker - it's always valuable
- ★Full-pay Joker Poker is one of few +EV video poker games
- ★Minimum qualifying hand depends on pay table (Kings+ or Two Pair+)
- ★Break a flush for 4 to a royal flush draw
- ★Keep any made hand (flush or better) over 4-card draws
- ★With joker: go for bigger hands more aggressively
Key Facts
- •Uses 53-card deck (52 + 1 joker)
- •Full-pay returns 100.65% (player advantage!)
- •Joker is wild - substitutes for any card
- •Never discard the joker
- •Five of a Kind is possible (with joker)
- •Natural Royal pays more than Wild Royal
- •Minimum hand: Kings or Better (full-pay) or Two Pair
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joker Poker?
Joker Poker is a video poker variant that uses a 53-card deck (standard 52 cards plus one joker). The joker is wild and can substitute for any card. Full-pay Joker Poker has over 100% return, making it one of the few player-favorable casino games.
What is the best Joker Poker pay table?
The best Joker Poker is "Full Pay Kings or Better" which returns 100.65% with perfect strategy. This version pays for a pair of Kings or Aces as the minimum hand. Look for machines paying 7/5 for full house/flush with Kings or Better.
What is the difference between natural and wild royal flush?
A natural royal flush uses only the standard 52 cards (no joker) and typically pays 800 coins. A wild royal flush uses the joker to complete the royal and usually pays 100 coins. Always go for the natural royal when possible.
Should I always keep the joker?
Yes, always! The joker is never thrown away in proper strategy. Even if you have nothing else, holding just the joker gives you the best chance of making a paying hand. The joker can become part of trips, straights, flushes, and more.
Try These Examples
Quick-start with common scenarios
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).
Expected Return
100.65%
House Edge
-0.65%
Player Advantage!
Variance
High
Due to wild card