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Tens or Better Video Poker – Rules Strategy & Tips

Tens or better video poker
 
Of the many variations of video poker available online, Tens or Better is one of the easiest to learn and play.

In our Tens or Better Video Poker article, we will explain the following. You may click on any of the links below to bring you to that point in the article.

If you are familiar with one of the most popular versions – Jacks or Better – then you will be able to understand Tens or Better straight away. The only difference between the 2 versions is that in Tens or Better you need a pair of Tens to win as opposed to a pair of Jacks.

Due to the slightly lower threshold to receive a payout, the amount you win is slightly less but the better chance of winning a prize offsets this.

Tens or Better uses a standard 52-card deck of cards, and you will need to know the basic poker hands ranking before you start playing.

Tens or Better Rules

As with any version of Video Poker, the first decision you have to make is to decide how much you wish to bet.

You will be given the choice of how much 1 coin is worth and how many coins you wish to bet with.

As with other versions, we recommend you use the maximum number of coins available – 5. As the payouts for a Royal Flush are significantly better than when using 4 coins and as that is the ultimate aim of Video Poker – then it is worth playing 5 coins to get the bigger payout if and when it hits.

As an example, if you decide you want to bet €0.50 per game, you could choose the coin size of €0.50 and play with 1 coin or choose the coin size of €0.10 and play with 5 coins. Whilst the overall cost of a bet will be the same, playing with 5 coins of €0.10 will get a bigger payout and therefore would be the preferred option in these circumstances.

tens or better video poker layout

The screenshot above shows the typical layout for Tens or Better Video Poker, which is very similar to other versions in how the game is played.

As you will see, you can choose the coin size – we have gone for €0.20 – and then the number of coins bets. As we bet the maximum of 5 coins at €0.20, the total bet is €1. By using 5 coins, the maximum payout for a Royal Flush is 4,000 coins as opposed to 2,000 for playing with 4 coins.

Although payouts will be pretty similar across every version of Tens or Better, there may be a few small differences from one casino to another so it is worth ensuring you are getting the best deal possible. You can do this by checking the payouts at a couple of casinos before deciding where to play.

Paytables

You won’t find many variations in the paytable above. Below we show you the payouts you can expect to get for each hand. Remember that the amount shown is the winnings in coins, and you need to multiply the win by the value of the coin you are playing with to get the monetary value of the win.

Hand1 Coin2 Coins3 Coins4 Coins5 Coins
Royal Flush5001,0001,5002,0004,000
Straight Flush50100150200250
4 of a Kind255075100125
Full House510152025
Flush48121620
Straight48121620
3 of a Kind3691215
2 Pair246810
Jacks or Better12345

 

Tens or Better Video Poker pays out with a slightly lower hand than many other versions which require at least a pair of Jacks. It may not seem like a lot to pay out with a pair of Tens or better, but that one extra win can give you one extra spin which could be the Royal Flush you have been waiting for, you never know!

This is just another reason to ensure you play with 5 coins whenever you can to ensure you make the most out of a Royal Flush win when it arrives.

Tens or Better Strategy

The Strategy for Tens or Better Video Poker is a lot like the one for Jacks or Better. It is worth noting that payouts in Tens or Better are normally lower for the Royal Flush, Flush, and Full House, to make up for a Pair of Tens being a winning hand. They can still pay out nicely should you hit one.

To ensure you follow the best strategy possible, start at the top of the table below and when you find an option that applies to your hand, follow the action on the right.

Although the House Edge still tips the game in the Casino’s favor – as it does with any game – this will give you the best possible chance of finishing a session ahead

HandAction
Royal FlushHold all 5 cards
Straight FlushHold all 5 cards
4 of a KindDiscard the 1 card not involved
4 cards to a Royal FlushDiscard the 1 card not involved
Full HouseHold all 5 cards
FlushHold all 5 cards
StraightHold all 5 cards
3 of a KindDiscard the 2 cards not involved
4 cards to a Straight FlushDiscard the 1 card not involved
2 PairDiscard the 1 card not involved
High Pair – Tens to AcesDiscard the 3 cards not involved
3 cards to a Royal FlushDiscard the 2 cards not involved
4 cards to a FlushDiscard the 1 card not involved
10JQKDiscard the 1 card not involved
1 PairDiscard the 3 cards not involved
4 cards to a Straight with 3 High CardsDiscard the 1 card not involved
3 cards to a Straight FlushDiscard the 2 cards not involved
3 cards to a Straight with 3 High CardsDiscard the 2 cards not involved
2 Suited High CardsDiscard the 3 cards not involved
4 cards to an Open Ended StraightDiscard the 1 card not involved
JQKDiscard the 2 cards not involved
KQ, KJDiscard the 3 cards not involved
2 cards to a Royal FlushDiscard the 3 cards not involved
Suited 10J, 10QDiscard the 3 cards not involved
2 High CardsDiscard the 3 cards not involved
1 High CardDiscard the 4 cards not involved
Anything elseDiscard all 5 cards

 
For this version of Video Poker, a High Card is deemed to be a Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace.

Tips

  • We have mentioned it before but will mention it again – when playing Video Poker it is always recommended to play with 5 coins whenever possible to make sure you get the best possible payout. The difference between hitting a Royal Flush when playing with 4 coins and 5 coins is substantial and we wouldn’t like you to miss out on a big win. You can always reduce the size of the coin to reduce the total bet.
  •  

  • Never play with more money than you can afford to lose. For any session, we recommend that you start with at least 40 games to give you the best chance of winning and having an enjoyable time. When you decide how much you are willing to spend in a session, split that amount into 40 and play that amount per game.

    If you lose the amount you were willing to play with at the start of a session, walk away. Don’t try to play catch up otherwise you could lose more than you intended to – which is a recipe for disaster.

  •  

  • Shop around – there may not be many differences in the payout amounts from one casino to another for the same game, but it is worth checking 2 or 3 to ensure you are getting the best possible deal.

    Try and stick to the strategy in this article, which will reduce the House Edge as much as possible. The more chance of winning you give yourself, the better!

  •  

  • Finally, have fun. Gambling should be an enjoyable pastime and you should never overstretch yourself financially. If the enjoyment goes out of a game then stop playing as not only are you less likely to win. And if you are worried about losing, you could very well get yourself into financial trouble.

 
Video Poker Related Articles:
Top Casinos to Play Tens or Better
Strategy for Aces and Eights Video Poker
Video Poker Rules and Strategy
Pick ‘em Poker (Pick a Pair Poker)

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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 Tens or Better Video Poker?

Tens or Better is a variation of the popular game, Video Poker. It is available at numerous online casinos and is easy to learn and play.

faq

How do I win at Tens or Better Video Poker?

Winning at Tens or Better is extremely simple. As the title would suggest, all you need to win is to get a pair of Tens or higher. In that way, the game is quite similar to Jacks or Better, though obviously much easier to win.

faq

What is the difference between Tens or Better and Jacks or Better?

In many ways, the two games are exactly the same. They follow the same basic rules and premise. The only difference is that in Jacks or Better, you need a pair of Jacks to win. In Tens or Better on the other hand you need a pair of tens.

faq

Can I get a good payout in Tens or Better Video Poker?

Considering how easy it is to get a winning hand, the amount you will be paid out in Tens or Better is quite a bit lower than the standard Video Poker game. However, as we said, it is incredibly easy to get a winning hand, so the lower payout might be worth it.

faq

When should I hold all of my cards in Tens or Better Poker?

As with any game of Video Poker, the time to hold your cards is when you are sure of a winning hand. In other words, whenever you get a Straight, a Flush, a Full House, or a Straight/Royal Flush, you hold all your cards.

faq

When should I discard all my cards in Tens or Better Poker?

When you play Tens or Better poker, you should discard all your cards when all of them are lower than a 10. If you have any high cards, it might be a good idea to hold on to them. However, discard any card that is low.

faq

Where can I play Tens or Better video poker online?

There are quite a few online casinos that feature the game. Simply look for the website that appeals the most to you and that features the game in its library. Just make sure that the website you play with is licensed by trusted authorities.

faq

Can I play Tens or Better Video Poker in land-based casinos?

There are plenty of land-based casinos that have Video Poker machines. If you are curious to play Tens or Better in brick-and-mortar establishments, find out whether they feature any machines. If they do, then you can play the game for real money.

faq

How much money should I bet on Tens or Better Video Poker?

Common casino wisdom dictates the following: “Never bet more than you can afford to lose.” This rule applies to Tens or Better Video Poker just as much as it applies to any other game.

faq

What are coins in Tens or Better Video Poker?

Coins are basically replacements for chips. At the start of the game, a player can decide how many coins to wager on a match of Video Poker. Usually, you can wager anywhere between 1 to 5 coins (though some machines may allow more).

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