How much bankroll do I need for video poker?

It depends on the game's return and variance, your bet size, and how long you play. Enter those below to see a bankroll that survives your session with high confidence and, for positive-return games, the risk of ruin.

Why is video poker so swingy?

Most of the return sits in rare big hands like the royal flush, so the per-hand variance is high, around 19.5 for 9/6 Jacks or Better. Big swings in both directions are normal even with perfect play.

Bankroll & Variance

Know your swings before you sit down. Set your game, bet, and session, and see the expected result, the realistic range, and the bankroll you actually need.

Game (sets return and variance; override below)

Return %

Variance per bet

Bet per hand ($)

Hands per hour

Session length (hours)

Your bankroll ($)

How to use this

The expected result is what the math says you lose or win on average. The realistic range is where most sessions land, one and two standard deviations out. Video poker is high-variance, so a losing average game still has plenty of winning sessions, and a near-even game still has brutal downswings. The bankroll figure is what you need to ride out the swings without tapping out mid-session.

Return and variance are the documented figures for each game, editable above. The risk math on top of them is computed live here. For negative-return games, long-run ruin is certain, so the tool focuses on session survival; for positive-return games it also shows a true risk of ruin.

Common questions

What is a realistic video poker bankroll?

For a full session of 9/6 Jacks or Better at these bets, you generally want enough to absorb a two-standard-deviation downswing. The calculator shows that number for your inputs.

Is 9/6 Jacks or Better a winning game?

Not on its own, at 99.54% it loses about 46 cents per 100 dollars cycled. It can approach or pass break-even with slot-club points and promotions, which is why serious players chase full-pay machines with good comps.