Video Poker Odds, Probabilities and Pay Tables
Why Knowing the Odds is Important
Knowledge of odds is indispensable for any gambler. The success of a casino in taking money from players is made possible by its manipulation of the odds. Therefore to turn the tables and beat the casino, gamblers must also know the odds.
Now obviously you cannot alter a video poker game's configuration to favor you. But you can find out what the video poker odds are and from there you can make the best decisions possible. By "best decisions" we mean those moves that will give you the most wins and fewest losses.
Video Poker Odds and Pay Tables
Another reason why you should know about video poker odds is that they help explain why video poker pay tables work the way they do. Why does a flush pay more than a straight? Why do jacks or better have to be the minimum paying hand? When you understand the odds of making poker hands, the pay tables will begin to make sense to you. Most importantly, you will know when a pay table pays out unfairly relative the odds so you can avoid that pay table.
A Note on Odds and Probabilities
Probability is the likelihood of an event taking place. In this case we are concerned with how likely a hand is going to occur in video poker. On the other hand, the odds refer to the possibility "for or against" the hand taking place. Odds and probability are very close in meaning but are expressed differently. To give an example, the probability of a final royal hand being made is 1 in 40,000, and the odds against that are 39,999 to 1.
Video Poker Hand Frequencies
Here now are the chances of poker hands being hit. They are expressed in terms of probability.
Hand Frequency Probability
Royal Flush first draw 1 in 650,000 Royal Flush second draw 1 in 40,000 Four of a kind 1 in 423 Four Aces 1 in 5,761 Four Aces w/ kicker 1 in 16,236 Four Deuces 1 in 4,909 2's, 3's, 4's 1 in 2,601 2's, 3's, 4's w/ kicker 1 in 6,984 Full House 1 in 90 Flush 1 in 85 Straight 1 in 80 Straight Flush 1 in 9,150
Video Poker Drawing Hand Odds
Here are the video poker odds of making a hand when you are on a draw.
Drawing Hand Probability
One Pair > Two Pairs 1 In 6 One Pair > Three Of A Kind 1 In 9 Two Pair > Full House 1 In 12 One Pair > Quad 1 In 360 Three of a Kind > Full House 1 In 16 Three of Kind > Four of a Kind 1 In 24 Four-Card Flush Draw 1 In 5 Three-Card Flush Draw 1 In 24 Four-Card Open Ended Straight Draw 1 In 6 Three-Card Open Ended Straight Draw 1 In 23 Four-Card Inside Straight Draw 1 In 12 Four-Card Open Ended Straight Flush Draw 1 In 24 Four-Card Royal Flush Draw 1 In 47