Video poker is a popular casino game that combines the excitement of slot machines with the strategy of poker. But what exactly is EV in video poker and how can it affect your gameplay? In this tutorial, we’ll explore the concept of EV in video poker and how it can help you make better decisions at the casino.
First, let’s define what EV actually means. EV stands for “expected value,” which is a mathematical calculation used to determine the average outcome of a particular scenario. In video poker, EV is used to calculate the expected return on a particular hand based on its payout and the probability of hitting that hand.
For example, let’s say you’re playing Jacks or Better video poker and are dealt a hand with two pair (two jacks and two fives). The payout for two pair in Jacks or Better is 2x your bet, so if you bet $1, your payout would be $2. However, the probability of hitting two pair in Jacks or Better is approximately 12%, which means that out of every 100 hands you play, you can expect to hit two pair about 12 times.
Using the formula for expected value (EV = payout x probability), we can calculate the EV for this particular hand:
EV = $2 x 0.12 = $0.24
This means that for every $1 bet on this hand, your expected return is $0.24. Of course, this doesn’t mean that every time you play this hand, you’ll win exactly $0.24 – some hands will pay out more than their expected value while others will pay out less.
So why is understanding EV important in video poker? Because it allows you to make strategic decisions based on maximizing your expected return. For example, if you’re dealt a hand with four cards to a royal flush (the highest-paying hand in most video poker games), but also have a low pair, you can use EV calculations to determine which cards to keep.
Let’s say the payout for a royal flush is 800x your bet and the probability of hitting it with four cards to a royal flush is approximately 2%. The payout for a low pair (tens or lower) is typically 1x your bet. If you keep the low pair, your EV would be:
EV = $1 x probability of hitting three of a kind
If you discard the low pair and keep the four cards to a royal flush, your EV would be:
EV = $800 x 0.02 + $1 x probability of hitting three of a kind
In this scenario, it’s clear that keeping the four cards to a royal flush has a higher expected value than keeping the low pair. This doesn’t guarantee that you’ll hit the royal flush – in fact, you’re much more likely to hit three of a kind or maybe even two pair – but over time, playing for the highest expected value will increase your overall return.
There are many other factors that can affect EV in video poker, such as pay tables (which determine payouts for each hand), game variations (such as Deuces Wild or Double Bonus), and even player skill level. However, understanding the basics of calculating EV can give you an edge when it comes to making optimal decisions at the video poker machine.
In conclusion, EV is an important concept in video poker that allows players to make strategic decisions based on maximizing their expected return. By understanding how to calculate EV for different hands and situations, players can increase their chances of winning at this popular casino game.
