New video poker calculator: just take a photo
I can't post links, hopefully a mod can edit this for me later - it's videopokeranalyzer.com/
Would love your thoughts and feedback! I'm beta launching it today. It supports all the five-credit games (e.g. JoB, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild) and two extra credit games (Ultimate X and Super Times Pay - I'm working on adding more).
Thanks so much!
Quote: WizardNote: Link added by moderator
Last edited by: unnamed administrator on May 11, 2026
Quote: emmbreilHi folks! I created a video poker calculator that uses your phone's camera instead of manual inputs. Take a photo of any VP hand and within 2-3 seconds the tool will tell you the machine's RTP and the best cards to hold. If you've ever asked yourself "hmm I'm not sure what the best hold is here" or want to quickly analyze a machine's paytable, you'll get a lot out of this.
I can't post links, hopefully a mod can edit this for me later - it's VideoPokerAnalyzer(.)com
Would love your thoughts and feedback! I'm beta launching it today. It supports all the five-credit games (e.g. JoB, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild) and two extra credit games (Ultimate X and Super Times Pay - I'm working on adding more).
Thanks so much!
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A photo is a nice improvement from manual inputs. Am I correct to assume that this would be against the rules in all land based US casinos?
Quote: SOOPOOQuote: emmbreilHi folks! I created a video poker calculator that uses your phone's camera instead of manual inputs. Take a photo of any VP hand and within 2-3 seconds the tool will tell you the machine's RTP and the best cards to hold. If you've ever asked yourself "hmm I'm not sure what the best hold is here" or want to quickly analyze a machine's paytable, you'll get a lot out of this.
I can't post links, hopefully a mod can edit this for me later - it's VideoPokerAnalyzer(.)com
Would love your thoughts and feedback! I'm beta launching it today. It supports all the five-credit games (e.g. JoB, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild) and two extra credit games (Ultimate X and Super Times Pay - I'm working on adding more).
Thanks so much!
link to original post
A photo is a nice improvement from manual inputs. Am I correct to assume that this would be against the rules in all land based US casinos?
link to original post
Definitely illegal in Nevada.
Also, is the website the final product, or do you intend to create an actuall iOS and/or Android app for it? Having to take a picture, then download it to a website, is a lot of steps for someone sitting at a VP machine.
If you want to try it yourself but aren't near a casino, there's a button on the homepage that simulates a demo hand, and you can also try taking a photo of a YouTube video online to test it. I'd love to hear everybody's experience with it!Quote: RealizeGamingLove this concept and I'm curious to see it in action. Does anyone have any feedback after using it?
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This is a great question and something I explored a ton before building this thing! Ultimately, the language used in NRS 465.075 states that electronic devices are banned if they're used to gain an advantage over the casino. I (and the lawyer I consulted) would argue that this tool functions identically to having a blackjack strategy card at the table, which casinos allow and often provide for players. You're not taking advantage or winning one over on the casino, all this tool does is allow you to make the best play within the constraints the casino themselves have established.Quote: SOOPOO
A photo is a nice improvement from manual inputs. Am I correct to assume that this would be against the rules in all land based US casinos?
link to original post
What casinos are trying to prevent with this law (which was written over two decades ago) are card counting machines and people plugging a device/USB into a machine to hack it in some capacity (both of which would allow you to beat the casino/win more than what is expected/gain an advantage). If a machine has a 98% RTP, all this tool does is allow you to meet that RTP. You never exceed the RTP they set and you're working within the constraints they've set, so you're not taking advantage.
In practice, it also functions identically to a manual video poker calculator, or video poker website like Wizard of Odds, if somebody had pulled those sites up while in the middle of a hand (which happens constantly but nobody has been prosecuted for). I just can't imagine a jury finding anybody guilty of a crime here.
Yes! I tested it on a bunch of different card designs. It might fail if you take a photo of some obscure online casino nobody has ever heard of, but in-person it should work without issue.Quote: ThatDonGuyHas this been tested on different styles of cards? Or am I overthinking this and the style used by, say, Game King is pretty much a standard?
Also, is the website the final product, or do you intend to create an actuall iOS and/or Android app for it? Having to take a picture, then download it to a website, is a lot of steps for someone sitting at a VP machine.
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Can you elaborate on what you mean re: a lot of steps? Right now a website is actually less friction than an app! The current process is: visit the website > take a photo using the button provided > get results (total of 5~ seconds). An app would actually be more steps/more friction as you have to download and then open it on each use (I am working on an iOS app though!).
I appreciate you, thank you!Quote: WizardThis is a great idea. I'm surprised it hasn't been done already. I just made the link live.
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Quote: emmbreil
This is a great question and something I explored a ton before building this thing! Ultimately, the language used in NRS 465.075 states that electronic devices are banned if they're used to gain an advantage over the casino. I (and the lawyer I consulted) would argue that this tool functions identically to having a blackjack strategy card at the table, which casinos allow and often provide for players. You're not taking advantage or winning one over on the casino, all this tool does is allow you to make the best play within the constraints the casino themselves have established.
What casinos are trying to prevent with this law (which was written over two decades ago) are card counting machines and people plugging a device/USB into a machine to hack it in some capacity (both of which would allow you to beat the casino/win more than what is expected/gain an advantage). If a machine has a 98% RTP, all this tool does is allow you to meet that RTP. You never exceed the RTP they set and you're working within the constraints they've set, so you're not taking advantage.
I am not a lawyer but I am really really not sure about this.
465.075§3 says it's not allowed to have an electronic device that "Analyzes the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the game" and 465.075§4 says it's not allowed to have an electronic device that "Analyzes the strategy for playing or betting to be used in the game".
Also there are very rare VP machines still existing with over 100% RTP (but with extremely complex strategies) - if your website is allowed (I don't think it is), these games could cease to exist :( But that might occur anyways lol.
I really admire what you've done (even though the website design looks very AI-coded) - I had the thought of making a tool like this for table games (to help dealers advise players - as sometimes they ask what to do especially in blackjack) but I believe that casinos wouldn't want this and that it would be illegal to use without permission.. There is already some software that tells casinos how good players are at Video Poker to prevent comp-maxxing, but maybe you can switch sides and make a better software ;)
Quote: emmbreil
Right now a website is actually less friction than an app! The current process is: visit the website > take a photo using the button provided > get results (total of 5~ seconds). An app would actually be more steps/more friction as you have to download and then open it on each use (I am working on an iOS app though!).
I agree completely and this is why I refuse to make apps, only websites. Well, I guess the advantage of applications is that you can use them offline, but I doubt that a casino would have no cellular connection. It's annoying to deal with multiple programming languages, various operating systems, and constantly-updating app store policies. Websites are easier, especially since cross-browser compatibility issues have gone down a lot since the demise of Internet Explorer (I am young but as a teenager I had to spend almost two weeks at work figuring out how to make a website display correctly in IE).
Quote: acesideI’ve tested this tool in a casino. First of all, it works. Second, it is still much slower than a human. It takes about five seconds for my iPhone to generate a strategic decision. Third, I used the tool to play about 30 video poker hands but lost my bankroll of $10. I think an iPhone app should response faster.
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Thank you so much for trying it out!! Ultimately VP is still a -EV game so I can't guarantee you'll make any money lol. I'm sorry and I hope you'll use it again!
I wasn't expecting people to use it for every hand! My initial thought was you'd use it a couple times a night to check if a paytable is fair or for the hands that you're undecided on (e.g common mistakes like how you're supposed to drop two pair if one of the pairs is aces on a Double Bonus game, or an Ultimate X hand where you might want to reach for a flush as the EV for the next hand is much higher, or just wanting to know the math between holding nothing versus keeping an inside straight draw when playing Deuces Wild - I hate this last one!!!).
This is great feedback, knowing people might want to use it more frequently (an app + improving loading times is on my plate!). Thanks again for trying it out. I owe you a beer next time you're in Vegas.
Quote: acesideI used the tool to play about 30 video poker hands but lost my bankroll of $10
Venmo request him for $10 😂
I'm dying lol, glad we were playing quarters and not dollars 😂Quote: harrisVenmo request him for $10 😂Quote: acesideI used the tool to play about 30 video poker hands but lost my bankroll of $10
Quote: emmbreilThis is a great question and something I explored a ton before building this thing! Ultimately, the language used in NRS 465.075 states that electronic devices are banned if they're used to gain an advantage over the casino. I (and the lawyer I consulted) would argue that this tool functions identically to having a blackjack strategy card at the table, which casinos allow and often provide for players. You're not taking advantage or winning one over on the casino, all this tool does is allow you to make the best play within the constraints the casino themselves have established.Quote: SOOPOO
A photo is a nice improvement from manual inputs. Am I correct to assume that this would be against the rules in all land based US casinos?
link to original post
What casinos are trying to prevent with this law (which was written over two decades ago) are card counting machines and people plugging a device/USB into a machine to hack it in some capacity (both of which would allow you to beat the casino/win more than what is expected/gain an advantage). If a machine has a 98% RTP, all this tool does is allow you to meet that RTP. You never exceed the RTP they set and you're working within the constraints they've set, so you're not taking advantage.
In practice, it also functions identically to a manual video poker calculator, or video poker website like Wizard of Odds, if somebody had pulled those sites up while in the middle of a hand (which happens constantly but nobody has been prosecuted for). I just can't imagine a jury finding anybody guilty of a crime here.
If you can show that people do bring up something like the Wizard's online calculator while playing, then you have a case for selective prosecution. Other than that, you are pushing it legally.
Quote: emmbreilQuote: ThatDonGuyAlso, is the website the final product, or do you intend to create an actuall iOS and/or Android app for it? Having to take a picture, then download it to a website, is a lot of steps for someone sitting at a VP machine.
link to original post
Can you elaborate on what you mean re: a lot of steps? Right now a website is actually less friction than an app! The current process is: visit the website > take a photo using the button provided > get results (total of 5~ seconds). An app would actually be more steps/more friction as you have to download and then open it on each use (I am working on an iOS app though!).
Did I misunderstand how it works? I didn't realize you could take the photo directly from the website, which I assume would be open on your phone.
Yes! Visit the site and use it to take a photo of a machine or a YT video of somebody playing, you'll see how it works instantly. There's a 'example' button on the website too which uploads an image for you.Quote: ThatDonGuy
Did I misunderstand how it works? I didn't realize you could take the photo directly from the website, which I assume would be open on your phone.
Quote: emmbreilQuote: acesideI’ve tested this tool in a casino. First of all, it works. Second, it is still much slower than a human. It takes about five seconds for my iPhone to generate a strategic decision. Third, I used the tool to play about 30 video poker hands but lost my bankroll of $10. I think an iPhone app should response faster.
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Thank you so much for trying it out!! Ultimately VP is still a -EV game so I can't guarantee you'll make any money lol. I'm sorry and I hope you'll use it again!
I wasn't expecting people to use it for every hand! My initial thought was you'd use it a couple times a night to check if a paytable is fair or for the hands that you're undecided on (e.g common mistakes like how you're supposed to drop two pair if one of the pairs is aces on a Double Bonus game, or an Ultimate X hand where you might want to reach for a flush as the EV for the next hand is much higher, or just wanting to know the math between holding nothing versus keeping an inside straight draw when playing Deuces Wild - I hate this last one!!!).
This is great feedback, knowing people might want to use it more frequently (an app + improving loading times is on my plate!). Thanks again for trying it out. I owe you a beer next time you're in Vegas.
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I recently tried this tool again. There is something I do not understand in this particular situation, see attached picture.
The #1 pick instruction is “Hold pair of 4s and draw to improve,” which has the highest EV value; however, I do not see any difference to the #3 pick instruction “Hold pair of 4s,” which has a lower EV value. Please help explain.
This could definitely be clearer, as you don't see that additional information unless you tap on the row. I'll work on how this is displayed for an update later this week, but the calculation is correct! Thank you for the feedback!
#1 option is “hold pair of 4s”
#2 option is “hold 4 to a straight”
#3 option is “hold pair of 4s plus one”
Quote: acesideI’ve tested this tool in a casino. First of all, it works. Second, it is still much slower than a human. It takes about five seconds for my iPhone to generate a strategic decision. Third, I used the tool to play about 30 video poker hands but lost my bankroll of $10. I think an iPhone app should respond faster.
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Can I ask why? Using this is clearly a felony. Did you just not think that they would go after you since you were betting so small? I certainly wouldn't risk jail time to test a webpage.
Quote: SkinnyTonyCan I ask why? Using this is clearly a felony. Did you just not think that they would go after you since you were betting so small? I certainly wouldn't risk jail time to test a webpage.
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I also think that anyone sharp enough to defend themselves in case of a kerfuffle doesn't want the hassle and expense.
The tool is probably handy for playthrough online.
The biggest issue in my mind is more that looking up a paper strategy cheat sheet, or a similar document file on a phone, is much faster for someone who has played more than a few hundred hands on a particular variety. If using this app forces you to stop and reduces your losses just by virtue of taking time to aim the photo and get it to calculate the correct hold, then that may be fine for you. For someone who is trying to achieve a certain hands played goal for a session or trip, this is just going to slow down getting to that point, and using a paper cheat sheet takes less than a second, maybe two when trying to confirm something on a key hand.
Quote: harrisIf anyone knows of an actual real-life example of someone getting arrested for looking at video poker strategy online please let me know. I doubt a casino would trespass someone for that unless it was on one of those super-rare 100%+ machines. I get the vibe that VP payouts are getting increasingly bad for the player so it doesn't even matter that much from the casino's perspective.
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A paper strategy is not a device. Strategy cards are allowed.
Pulling up a static strategy on a phone is probably a grey area but probably ok? I would prefer a printout but whatever.
Having a computer calculate the correct play is very clearly over the line. It's not the same as checking a static strategy chart. People have been arrested for using a computer to calculate strategy in real time (like, in blackjack). The fact that the game is different doesn't matter because the law applies to all games.
My fear would not be getting kicked out or trespassed. That's fine; I'd just leave. It would be getting arrested and going to jail. This very clearly violates the device law (which was quoted above; it's quite literally using a device to calculate a strategy).
Getting arrested for something that's -EV would be even worse, somehow. Though lots of progressive VP games return over 100% at times.
Do you have any articles or cases you can link? I wasn't able to find much aside from blackjack players being arrested after being trespassed and then returning to the property at a later date (which is a trespassing charge and not relating to devices/strategy).Quote: SkinnyTony
Having a computer calculate the correct play is very clearly over the line. It's not the same as checking a static strategy chart. People have been arrested for using a computer to calculate strategy in real time (like, in blackjack). The fact that the game is different doesn't matter because the law applies to all games.
My fear would not be getting kicked out or trespassed. That's fine; I'd just leave. It would be getting arrested and going to jail. This very clearly violates the device law (which was quoted above; it's quite literally using a device to calculate a strategy).
Getting arrested for something that's -EV would be even worse, somehow. Though lots of progressive VP games return over 100% at times.
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