For some games, such as video poker, blackjack or Caribbean Stud poker, it is possible to derive an optimal strategy depending on the payout frequency and probability for each payout. Jackpots, in particular progressive jackpots, are rarely mentioned. They grow over time and change both the optimal strategy and the casino advantage for each game.
This logically implies that once the progressive jackpot has risen to a certain level, the break-even point occurs. Thus, a situation in which the theoretical return for a player’s bet exceeds 100%. In such a case, the advantage of the casino is negative in the long run, and the player would have the desired mathematical advantage over the casino.
However, it should be remembered that even if the house edge is negative, it does not mean that the player always wins. Everything is valid for an extended period, which can statistically affect up to several tens of thousands of games.
Examples of Break Even Point for Selected Games
Game | Software | Break Even Point | RTP | Odds |
Caribbean Poker | Random Logic | 218 041 $ | 100,4 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Megajack | Playtech | 1 230 $ | 98,5 % | 1 to 40 391 |
Jack or Better | Novomatic | 299 254 € | 98,1 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Deuces Wild | Novomatic | 317 825 € | 98 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Joker Wild | Novomatic | 319 319 € | 98 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Royal Diamond Video Poker | Random Logic | 25 704 $ | 97,6 % | 1 to 160 689 |
Jacks or Better 10-line | Playtech | 20 347 $ | 97,6 % | 1 to 40 170 |
Poker Ride | Microgaming | 218 047 $ | 97,1 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Jackpot Poker €1 | GTECH | 14 111 € | 96,7 % | 1 to 40 170 |
Jackpot Poker 50c | GTECH | 7 056 € | 96,7 % | 1 to 40 172 |
Jackpot Deuces | Microgaming | 53 9823 $ | 96,4 % | 1 to 176 672 |
Progressive Blackjack | Playtech | 285 951 $ | 96,2 % | 1 to 4 392 609 |
Multihand Jackpot Poker | Propriety | 12 092 € | 95,1 % | 1 to 178 948 |
Jackpot Joker Poker | Propriety | 39 234 € | 94,8 % | 1 to 41 278 |
Triple Sevens Blackjack | Microgaming | 109 862 $ | 93 % | 1 to 289 562 |
Bonus Keno | NetEnt | 1 366 564 € | 85,6 % | 1 to 8 764 410 |
Caribbean Stud Poker | Cryptologic | 218 047 $ | 83,7 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Let ’em Ride | RTG | 201 245 $ | 82,1 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Cyberstud Poker | Microgaming | 234 239 $ | 81,8 % | 1 to 649 740 |
Roulette Royale | Microgaming | 760 501 $ | 65 % | 1 to 1 874 161 |
Carribean Stud | NetEnt | 638 575 € | 57,3 % | 1 to 649 740 |
At this point, it is worth mentioning why break-even points for progressive jackpots on slot machines are not listed in the table. For them, this indicator is very difficult to calculate. To estimate, it would be necessary to know the distribution and number of symbols on each cylinder. However, such information is carefully guarded by all software providers.
This concept will no longer include free slots at all, as the progressive jackpot at online slots generally offers real money play only.
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