Hourly EV Calculator

Hourly EV is the only honest way to compare casino games. A $25 BJ player and a $5 video-poker grinder lose at very different rates per hour despite the BJ player having a lower house edge. This calculator gives you the dollars-per-hour figure for any combination of game, bet, and pace.

Average bet ($)

Hands per hour

Edge % (signed)

Hourly EV · House edge

−$10.00/hr

Total wagered per hour: $2,000. Edge takes 0.5% of that on average.

The formula

hourly EV = average bet × hands per hour × edge

Sign matters: negative is house edge (you lose), positive is player edge (you win on average). Same formula either way.

Real-world hourly rates

$25 BJ basic strategy, 0.5% edge, 80 hands/hr → −$10/hr (cheapest 'real' table game)
$5 video poker JoB 9/6, 0.46%, 600 hands/hr → −$13.80/hr (looks small, isn't)
$1 slots, 8% edge, 600 spins/hr → −$48/hr (the casino's favorite player)
$10 Caribbean Stud, 5%, 60 hands/hr → −$30/hr
$25 advantage-play BJ, +1% edge, 80 hands/hr → +$20/hr (before cover)

What hourly EV doesn't tell you

Average alone is variance-blind. A $20/hr expected loss is the average of sessions ranging from −$300 to +$200. Use the variance calculator alongside this one to get the full picture of what an hour at the table really costs you.

Hourly EV and entertainment value

Casinos sell entertainment as a service. If you'd happily pay $30/hr for a movie, paying $30/hr to play craps you enjoy is a defensible decision. Hourly EV is the price tag — your call whether the show is worth it.

FAQ

Which game has the lowest hourly cost?

At equal bet sizes, baccarat banker (1.06% edge, ~72 hands/hr) and blackjack (0.5%, ~80 hands/hr) are nearly tied. BJ wins on edge, baccarat on simplicity. Both are cheaper than video poker per hour.

Is video poker really $14/hour?

At full speed (600 hands/hr) on full-pay JoB, yes. Most recreational players don't grind that fast — at 300-400 hands/hr it's $7-9/hr instead. But VP players play long sessions, so the trip totals add up.

Why are slots so expensive?

House edges of 5-15% combined with 600+ spins per hour. A $1 slot pull at 8% edge costs you 8¢ on average, 600 times an hour — that's $48/hr in expected loss with very high variance on top.

How do I lower my hourly cost?

Three levers: smaller bet, slower play, lower-edge game. Of these, slowing down is the most underrated — taking a break between hands meaningfully reduces your hands per hour.

Does hourly EV apply to advantage play?

Yes, with a positive sign. A counter at 1% edge betting $25 average at 80 hands/hr earns +$20/hr in EV, before factoring in cover plays and time spent backed off.

Last updated 2026-05-06. Spot an error?

Hourly EV Calculator

The formula

Real-world hourly rates

What hourly EV doesn't tell you

Hourly EV and entertainment value

FAQ

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