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Must-Hit-By Calculator

Must-Hit-By Calculator

Determine whether a must-hit-by progressive jackpot is worth playing. Enter the current meter value and the must-hit-by ceiling, and this calculator estimates your expected value using the midpoint method.

What You Enter

Current Value

What the meter reads now

Must Hit By

The ceiling where it must trigger

Meter Rate

Dollars wagered per penny of meter increase

Base Game Return

Typical payback % of the base game

What You Get

  • Expected value (positive = worth playing)
  • Return percentage (above 100% = profitable)
  • Breakeven entry point — the minimum meter value where the play becomes +EV
  • Estimated coin-in, bankroll needed, and time required

About the Midpoint Method

MHB progressives trigger at a random point between a hidden minimum and the ceiling. The midpoint method assumes a uniform distribution, estimating the trigger at the halfway point of the remaining range. This is a baseline assumption — some implementations may weight the distribution toward the ceiling, making the actual expected hit point higher. Conditions vary by game version and casino.