Among the many video poker variants available at land-based casinos and real money online casinos, Tens or Better stands out as an excellent starting point for beginners while still offering enough strategic depth to keep experienced players engaged.
Tens or Better gets its name from its minimum qualifying hand – a pair of tens or better. This feature distinguishes it from Jacks or Better, which requires at least a pair of jacks to receive a payout.
The lower qualifying hand means you will win more frequently, creating a more enjoyable experience with less volatility. That makes Tens or Better perfect for video poker players who prefer steady play sessions rather than high-risk, high-reward scenarios. While the increased win frequency comes with slightly lower payouts for higher-ranking hands, many players find this tradeoff worthwhile.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Tens or Better video poker. We will cover the basic rules and mechanics, explain the hand rankings and paytable structure, and provide both basic and advanced strategies to improve your play.
Whether you are completely new to video poker or looking to refine your approach to this specific variant, you will find valuable information to help maximize your enjoyment and potential success. By the end of this guide, you will be able to play Tens or Better with confidence and a solid understanding of the game.
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What Is Tens or Better Video Poker?
Tens or Better is a popular variation of video poker that follows the same fundamental structure as other video poker games but with one key difference: the minimum qualifying hand is a pair of tens, rather than a pair of jacks (as in Jacks or Better) or higher.
At its core, Tens or Better is based on five-card draw poker. The game’s setup features elements of slot machine games, but instead of spinning reels, you receive five cards and given the opportunity to hold or discard any number of them.
After your decision, you receive new cards to replace the discarded cards, forming your final hand. If you have a winning hand, the game determines your payout according to the game’s specific paytable and traditional poker hand rankings.
This lower threshold for a winning hand means you will win approximately 4% more hands than in Jacks or Better, making it an appealing option for players who enjoy more consistent, frequent wins.
However, there is a tradeoff for this. To maintain the house edge, casinos may offer adjusted payouts for higher-ranking hands. Still, most Tens or Better games offer a theoretical return to player (RTP) of around 99.1% when played with optimal strategy, making it one of the more player-friendly games available at real money online casinos such as Super Slots Casino and Red Stag Casino.
Rules of Tens or Better
Playing Tens or Better is straightforward, following a simple sequence of actions that repeat with each hand.
To begin, you place your bet by selecting the number of coins you wish to wager (typically 1-5 coins). As with other video poker variants, it is generally recommended to play the maximum number of coins because the royal flush payout is disproportionately higher at max bet – often 4,000 coins versus just 250 coins per unit with smaller bets.
After placing your bet, you will press the “Deal” button, and the game will deal you five cards from a standard 52-card deck.
This is where you must decide which cards to keep (hold) and which to discard in hopes of improving your hand. You can hold anywhere from zero to all five cards depending on your starting hand. To hold a card, you simply select it, and it will show as “held” on the screen.
Because every hand features a new deck of cards, you do not need to consider the outcome or makeup of previous hands when deciding which cards to hold or discard each hand.
Once you have decided which cards to hold or discard, press the “Draw” or “Deal” button again, and the game will replace your discarded cards with new ones from the remaining deck. The resulting five cards form your final hand, which is automatically evaluated according to the paytable.
If your hand contains a pair of tens or a better poker hand, you win the corresponding payout. If not, you lose your bet. After the hand is complete, you can place a new bet and start again or collect your winnings and wrap up your game.
Hand Rankings in Tens or Better
Tens or Better uses standard poker hand rankings with the minimum qualifying hand being a pair of tens. Understanding these rankings is crucial for making strategic decisions while playing.
Here are the hand rankings from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit. This is the rarest and most valuable hand in the game.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 7-8-9-10-J of hearts).
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank (e.g., four Queens).
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., three 8s and two Aces).
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g., 2-5-7-J-K of spades).
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits (e.g., 4-5-6-7-8 of different suits).
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank (e.g., three 7s).
- Two Pair: Two different pairs (e.g., two Jacks and two 4s).
- Pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces: Two cards of the same rank, must be Jacks or higher.
- Pair of Tens: Two tens, the minimum qualifying hand in Tens or Better.
Any hand that does not contain at least a pair of tens (such as a pair of 9s or lower) is a losing hand. It is important to note that unlike in traditional poker, where players compete against each other, in video poker you are simply trying to achieve one of the qualifying hands listed on the paytable.
Paytable for Tens or Better
The paytable in Tens or Better shows how much each winning hand pays relative to your bet. While slight variations exist between different machines and online platforms, here is a typical full-pay Tens or Better paytable (based on a one-coin bet):
| Hand Ranking | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Pair of Tens | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Explaining the Tens or Better Paytable
- The payouts scale linearly with your bet size for most hands. If you bet 5 coins, you win 5 times the 1-coin payout.
- The exception is the Royal Flush, which pays 800 times your bet when playing 5 coins (4000 for 5 coins), compared to only 250 times your bet when playing 1-4 coins. This is why it is almost always recommended to play maximum coins.
- The pair of tens pays the same as a pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces (collectively known as “jacks or better”).
This particular paytable configuration is known as “8/5 Tens or Better” because it pays 8 coins for a full house and 5 coins for a flush (on a 1-coin bet). This is considered the full-pay version of the game, offering a theoretical return to player (RTP) of about 99.1% with optimal play.
Be aware that casinos may sometimes offer reduced paytables (such as 7/5 or 6/5 versions) that lower the theoretical return. With that in mind, always look for the most favorable paytable available.
Play Tens or Better at Top Online Casinos
Many of the best U.S. online casinos feature a variety of video poker games, including Tens or Better. Here are some sites we recommend for playing this game and other video poker games.
If you would like to learn more about any of these sites, we have in-depth reviews of these sites and many other real money online casinos and crypto casinos. We also have reviews of the best online sportsbooks and the best online poker sites.
Basic Strategy for Tens or Better
Developing a solid strategy for Tens or Better requires understanding which cards to hold and which to discard in various situations.
While perfect strategy can be complex, following some basic guidelines will significantly improve your play.
Always hold complete winning hands that cannot be improved. For example, if you have a straight, flush, full house, or better, hold all five cards. The only exception would be when you have four cards to a royal flush. That is because it has a higher expected value than a straight or flush.
When no winning hand is present, prioritize holding cards that give you the best chance of forming a winning hand. Here is a simplified hierarchy of hands to hold, from highest to lowest priority:
- Four cards to a royal flush
- Four cards to a straight flush
- Pairs of tens or better
- Three cards to a royal flush
- Four cards to a flush
- Low pair (pairs lower than tens)
- Four cards to an outside straight (can be completed at both ends)
- Two high cards (jacks or better) of the same suit
- Three cards to a straight flush
- Two high cards (jacks or better) of different suits
- Single jack, queen, king, or ace
- Discard all five cards
Remember that a ten is now considered a “high card” in this variant since a pair of tens is a winning hand. This changes some strategic considerations compared to Jacks or Better.
Examples for Basic Tens or Better Strategy
- If you’re dealt J♥ 10♥ 2♣ 4♦ 8♠, hold the J♥ and 10♥ (two high cards of the same suit).
- If you’re dealt Q♦ Q♠ 3♥ 7♦ 9♣, hold the pair of queens.
- If you’re dealt 10♥ J♥ Q♥ K♥ 2♦, hold the four hearts (four to a flush).
- If you’re dealt A♠ A♥ A♦ 8♣ K♠, hold the three aces (three of a kind).
One key difference in Tens or Better strategy compared to Jacks or Better is that you should hold a pair of tens over four cards to a flush or straight. This is because the pair of tens is already a paying hand, while the four-card draws are still speculative.
Advanced Strategy and Tips for Success
To truly maximize your chances in Tens or Better, consider these additional tips:
Study the Strategy Chart: Serious players should study and memorize a complete strategy chart for Tens or Better. These charts provide the mathematically optimal play for every possible hand configuration. Mastering them can increase your expected return by 1-2% compared to playing by general guidelines alone.
Play Maximum Coins: Always play the maximum number of coins to take advantage of the enhanced royal flush payout. If the maximum bet is too high for your bankroll, find a game with a lower denomination rather than betting fewer coins on a higher denomination machine.
Recognize Difficult Decisions: Some hands present particularly challenging decisions. For instance, when dealt three cards to a royal flush plus a pair of tens, many beginners would hold the paying pair. However, the correct play is usually to break the pair and go for the royal flush draw, as the potential reward outweighs the guaranteed small payout.
Practice with Free Games: Before risking real money, practice using free online versions of Tens or Better. This allows you to learn the game without the pressure of losing real money in the process.
Pace Yourself: Video poker can be played very quickly, which means potential losses can accumulate rapidly. Take your time with decisions and consider setting a timer to limit your session length. This helps maintain focus and prevents fatigue-induced mistakes.
Verify the Paytable: Always check the specific paytable before playing. The difference between a full-pay 8/5 machine and a short-pay 7/5 machine might seem small, but it can significantly impact your results over dozens, hundreds, or thousands of hands. The full-pay version offers about 0.8% better return, which adds up considerably over time.
Conclusion
Tens or Better video poker offers a compelling option for casino players seeking a game with a good balance of skill, entertainment value, and favorable odds.
With its lower qualifying hand threshold compared to Jacks or Better, players enjoy more frequent wins. By understanding the rules, hand rankings, and paytable structure outlined in this guide, you have taken the first important steps toward becoming a competent Tens or Better player.
Developing your strategy will take time and experience. While the basic strategy guidelines provided here will significantly improve your play compared to making intuitive decisions, the maximum theoretical return of approximately 99.1% is only achievable with perfect play. Consider using strategy trainers, practice games, and continued study to gradually close the gap.
Finally, remember that even with optimal strategy, video poker remains a gambling game with a house edge (albeit a small one). Set realistic expectations, establish limits for both time and money, and approach the game primarily as entertainment rather than a revenue source.
By combining sound strategy with responsible gambling practices, you can maximize your enjoyment of Tens or Better video poker while giving yourself the best possible chance for success at the machines.
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