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Aces and Eights Poker – Rules Strategy & Tips

Aces and Eights Video Poker

Video Poker is now available in so many more varieties than it used to be, this article takes you through the rules and strategy for Aces and Eights.

Aces and Eights Rules

There may be many variations of Video Poker, but the basics are pretty much the same in each version including Aces and Eights.

When playing Aces and Eights Video Poker you need to choose your stake – this is normally done by selecting the value of a coin and then how many coins (up to 5) you bet with.

After this, there will be a Deal button which will give you 5 cards from a standard 52 card deck. Some variations give you less to start and some use more than one deck or extra cards, not Aces and Eights though.

There is one standard 52-card deck in play and you receive 5 cards.

You then need to choose how many to discard – this can be 0 if you have a great hand or all 5 if you don’t.

Once the cards you have discarded have been replaced, your hand is paid out according to the pay table.

For Ace and Eights, the minimum need for a payout is a Pair of Jacks or better (it is a very similar game to the Jacks or Better version of Video Poker).

You need to know the basic poker hand ranks before you start – these will be the same for all versions of Video Poker and can be found elsewhere on this site.

Aces and Eights Video Poker
The above is an example of a standard online Aces and Eights Video Poker game.

You will see the look and feel is very similar to many other versions.

The main difference, which we go over below, is the increased payouts for 4 of a Kind Aces and 8’s – hence the name – and to a slightly lesser extent, 4 of a Kind 7’s.

Like many versions of Video Poker, there are also enhanced payouts when playing with 5 coins.

We would always recommend playing with 5 coins whenever your budget allows if necessary drop down the value of the coin to compensate.

As an example, if you wish to play €1 a game, you can do so by choosing the coin value as €1.00 and playing one coin. However, a much better option would be to play with the coin value as €0.20 and playing with five coins.

Paytables

This is the main area where variations of Video Poker can differ, it is important to check this before you choose which version is the one for you.

Paytables can differ from casino to casino as well, even for the same version of Video Poker. For that reason we suggest you shop around just in case the Royal Flush comes in – there is nothing worse than winning it than realizing you could have won 20% more elsewhere. Well, except for not winning it at all that is…

Winning Hand1 coin2 coins3 coins4 coins5 coins
Royal Flush2505007501,0004,000
Straight Flush50100150200250
4 of a Kind A or 880160240320400
4 of a Kind 750100150200250
4 of a Kind others255075100125
Full House816243240
Flush510152025
Straight48121620
3 of a Kind3691215
2 Pair246810
Jacks or Better12345

 
The payouts above are shown in coins, to get the monetary value depending on your stake, simply multiply the number of coins by the value of the coin you are playing with.

You will see that the order of hands in the table above is ranked normally from Royal Flush down to Jacks or Better. This is for ease of use as we are sure most of our readers will be used to viewing it this way.

However, you may also notice that 4 of a Kind 8’s or Aces payout more than a Straight Flush, and that 4 of a Kind 7’s paying out the same as a Straight Flush.

That is the main difference between Aces and Eights Video Poker and Jacks and Better Video Poker.

It does mean that the optimal strategy is slightly different though, so check the table below for details especially if you are used to playing Jacks or Better.

You will also notice the huge jump in winnings for a Royal Flush with 5 coins and one with 4 coins.

As we mentioned above and will continue to mention, this is the reason it is better to play with 5 coins whenever possible.

Aces and Eights Strategy

The aim of any strategy is to decrease the house edge the casino has over the player to give you the best possible chance of walking away from a session ahead.

When you are dealt your cards, take a look at the table below from top to bottom.

When you find the hand that applies to yours, take the action shown.

Remember, the extra payout for 4 of a Kind Aces or 8’s change the strategy significantly, especially when you have a Straight Flush draw but also 2 or more Aces.

HandAction
Royal FlushHold all
Straight FlushHold All
Full HouseHold All
FlushHold All
StraightHold All
4 cards to a Royal FlushDiscard other 1 card
4 of a KindHold All or Discard other 1 card
4 cards to a Straight FlushDiscard other 1 card
2 PairDiscard other 1 card
4 cards to a FlushDiscard other 1 card
4 cards to a Straight with 3 High CardsDiscard other 1 card
4 cards to an Open Ended StraightDiscard other 1 card
3 of a KindDiscard other 2 cards
3 cards to a Royal FlushDiscard other 2 cards
3 cards to a Straight FlushDiscard other 2 cards
3 cards to a Straight with 3 high cardsDiscard other 2 cards
1 PairDiscard other 3 cards
2 cards to a Royal FlushDiscard other 3 cards
2 high cardsDiscard other 3 cards
1 high cardDiscard other 4 cards
Anything elseDiscard all 5 cards

 

Aces & Eights Tips

  • As with any version of Video Poker, the payout for getting a Royal Flush when playing with 5 coins is significantly higher than when playing with 4 or less. Therefore, ensure you play maximum coins at all times to get the best possible payout for when the Royal Flush hits.

 

  • Decide at the start of a session how much you want to play with and stick to it. Try and even the amount out over at least 40 different bets to give you a good chance of getting a win – remember all little wins will get added to your balance so you can play with those too – but if you lose the balance you were happy to start with, walk away. If you start trying to chase your losses and try to win them back, you could end up gambling with a far larger amount than you are comfortable with and put yourself in financial difficulty.

 

  • Check out your game of choice at 2 or 3 different casinos to ensure you are getting the best payouts possible. There may not be much difference but every little helps and gets you more money to play with – it could be the difference between hitting that Royal Flush or not hitting it!

 

  • Only play at reputable casinos that can be trusted to payout any winnings and not make you jump through hoops when you wish to cash out. We have reviews of a lot of good casinos so be sure to check them out and only play at ones that have been recommended just in case – imagine how you feel if you get a nice win on a Royal Flush only for the casino to refuse to pay!

 

  • Finally, remember to have fun – gambling should be a relaxing hobby as long as you don’t gamble more than you can afford.

Conclusion

The rise of the internet has seen many changes over the years, one of the main ones is the effect it has had on the gambling industry.

There are now literally thousands of places to play casino games – including many variations of Video Poker – all from the comfort of your own home. Or someone else’s home. Or your car, or the beach, or the doctor’s office for that matter.

Wherever you happen to be, if you have a device with an internet connection, you can bet on games such as Aces and Eights Video Poker.

Video Poker Related Articles:
Video Poker Advanced Tutorial
Play Video Poker Free
Deuces Wild Strategy

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About the author
Richard Grant
Say hello to Richard Grant! Armed with a Law and Business degree and 17 years of industry experience, he launched this platform in 2007 to be your ultimate guide to the casino world. Specializing in game guides, reviews, and strategic insights, Richard is devoted to helping you hit the jackpot. Come join us on this exciting journey toward big wins!

FAQ

faq

What is Video Poker?

Video Poker is a game that has more in common with slot machines than its namesake. Rather than playing against other people, Video Poker is played with a machine. The goal is to land on a winning streak, similar to the streaks in classic Poker.

faq

What is Aces and Eights Poker?

Aces and Eights Poker is a variation of Video Poker.

faq

How do you play Aces and Eights Poker?

Aces and Eights Poker is not much different from any other video poker game. The first thing you must do is make a bet, after which you will click the “deal” button and be given 5 (or sometimes less) cards from the standard 52-card deck. Once the cards have been dealt, you can choose to discard any number of cards. During this time, you can choose to retain all of your cards. Once that is done, your hand will be paid out according to the cards you hold.

faq

Can I play Aces and Eights Video Poker for real money online?

Absolutely. Aces and Eights Poker is generally a popular variation on the classic game. You can find the game on plenty of online casino websites and play it for real money.

faq

Can I play Aces and Eights Poker for real money in land-based casinos?

Video poker is a very popular game at many land-based casinos as well. If you live by a casino look through their gaming repertoire, and make sure that they have an Aces and Eights Video Poker machine. If they do, then you can certainly play the game for real money.

faq

What is the best hand I can get in Aces and Eights Poker?

As in any game of poker, the best possible hand you can get is a Royal Flush.

faq

What is a Royal Flush in Aces and Eights Poker?

Royal Flush is a poker hand that entails getting a sequence of all of the royal cards with a ten. In other words: Ten -> Jack -> Queen -> King -> Ace This is the strongest hand in most, if not all, poker games. It is made even stronger if all of the cards are of the same suit.

faq

What are Coins in Aces and Eights Poker?

Coins are basically a stand-in for Chips. During the betting section of the game, a player can choose how many coins to wager. The number can usually be anywhere between 1 and 5, however, some online casinos may allow you to put down a bigger wager. Though this is uncommon.

faq

When should I discard all my cards in Aces and Eights Poker?

When playing Aces and Eights Poker, your goal is to decrease the house advantage. This is done by making sure that you have the best possible hand. So, if you have a poor hand, you should discard all of your cards and hope for the best. So what entails a poor hand? Well, a poor hand is when all five cards do not match, and all five of them are low numbers. If you have 1 or 2 high cards, keep them and discard the rest. The same is true if you have 1 pair.

faq

When should I hold all my cards in Aces and Eights Poker?

When you are dealt your cards, and you have a winning hand, always hold. A winning hand tends to be anything higher than a Straight. So, if you’ve got a Straight, a Full House, or a Flush/Straight Flush/Royal Flush, do not discard any of your cards.

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