Cycle [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

Cycle

A cycle in Video Poker refers to the average number of hands it takes for a certain event, such as hitting a royal flush, to occur.

In Video Poker, each hand dealt represents an independent event with random outcomes. The concept of a cycle is used to estimate how many hands, on average, it takes to achieve a specific outcome based on probabilities. For example, a royal flush may have a cycle of approximately 40,000 hands, meaning that statistically, a player could expect to hit a royal flush about once every 40,000 hands.

Cycle Example

For example, if you’re playing Jacks or Better, the cycle for hitting a royal flush might be around 40,000 hands, meaning on average, after 40,000 hands, you can expect to get one.