Tens or Better Video Poker – Rules Strategy & Tips

Tens or Better Video Poker is a popular casino game that rewards players for landing a pair of tens or higher. In this article I’ll explain the rules, key strategies, and how to play Tens or Better Video Poker so you can make smarter bets and improve your results.

How to Play Tens or Better Video Poker

Tens or Better Video Poker is easy to learn and play, making it a great choice for new and experienced players. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play:

• Set your bet: Select the coin value and the number of coins to wager. Betting the maximum coins unlocks the highest possible payouts.

 

• Deal your cards: Click “Deal” to receive five cards from a standard 52-card deck.

 

• Choose which cards to keep: Review your hand and click on the cards you want to hold. The goal is to make at least a pair of tens or higher.

 

• Draw new cards: Click “Draw” to replace any cards you didn’t hold. Your new hand will be automatically evaluated.

 

• Check for a win: If your final hand contains a pair of tens or better, you’ll receive a payout according to the game’s paytable.

Tip: Always review the paytable before you play, as payouts can vary between different casinos.

Tens or Better Video Poker Rules

Tens or Better Video Poker is a straightforward game that pays out for hands starting with a pair of tens or higher. Here are the key rules to keep in mind:

• Standard 52-card deck: The game uses a regular deck of cards with no wild cards or jokers.

 

• Payout highlights: The top payout is for a Royal Flush. The smallest winning hand is a pair of tens, and all higher-ranking hands, like two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, and so on, also pay out.

 

• Minimum win: You’ll receive a payout for any final hand with a pair of tens or better.

 

• Hand rankings: Standard poker hand rankings are used: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and Pair of Tens or Better.

 

• Betting: Choose your coin value and the number of coins to wager per hand. Betting the maximum coins boosts the payout for top hands, especially the Royal Flush.

Understanding these unique rules gives you an edge when playing Tens or Better Video Poker and can help you get the most value out of every hand.

The image above displays the standard layout for Tens or Better Video Poker. I recommend familiarizing yourself with the layout, as it’s very similar to other video poker versions and will make it easier to get started.

Start by selecting your preferred coin size. For example, a coin value of €0.20 lets you control your bet. If you choose to bet the maximum of 5 coins at €0.20 each, your total wager comes to €1. I always recommend playing with the maximum coins if possible. This unlocks the top payout of 4,000 coins for a Royal Flush, which is much higher than the 2,000-coin payout you’d get for betting just 4 coins.

Payouts for Tens or Better are usually similar at most casinos, but there can be small differences. I recommend checking the paytable at a few different casinos to make sure you’re getting the best payouts before you start playing.

Paytables

The paytable above doesn’t change much from one casino to another. Below, I highlight the typical payouts for each hand. Keep in mind, these amounts are shown in coins, so to find out how much you’ll actually win, just multiply the number of coins by your chosen coin value.

Tens or Better Video Poker pays out for a pair of tens or higher, which is a lower qualifying hand than most other games that require at least a pair of jacks. Even though winning with a pair of tens might not seem like much, that extra payout gives you another chance to play, and it could lead to the Royal Flush you’ve been hoping for.

Tens or Better Strategy

The strategy for Tens or Better Video Poker is very similar to Jacks or Better. Keep in mind that payouts for hands like Royal Flush, Flush, and Full House are usually a bit lower in Tens or Better because a pair of tens counts as a winning hand. Still, landing one of these premium hands can result in a strong payout.

For the best results, start at the top of the strategy table below and follow the action that matches your hand.

While the House Edge always favors the casino, using the right strategy gives you the best possible chance of finishing ahead.

In Tens or Better Video Poker, high cards are considered to be Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.

Tens or Better Video Poker Strategy in Action

I wanted to try something different, so I played Tens or Better Video Poker using a strategy you don’t hear about often. I always bet the maximum, 5 coins per hand at $0.25 each, so $1.25 every round.

The real twist was how I handled those tempting hands with three high cards. Instead of just hanging onto a pair, I’d keep all three high cards, hoping to build a straight, two pair, or even three of a kind. When I got four cards to a straight or flush with at least two high cards, I kept them too.

There were plenty of ups and downs, sometimes I hit a bunch of small wins, and other times I had to tough it out during cold streaks. But I stuck with it, stayed patient, and trusted the math. After three hours, I finished $300 ahead.

This really showed me that a little discipline and a smart, unique approach can make a big difference in video poker.

Tens or Better Tips

Below, I’ve put together my top Tens or Better Video Poker tips to help you play smarter and get the most from every hand.

• I recommend reviewing the paytable at each casino before you start, as some may offer slightly better payouts for certain hands.

 

• Don’t hold a single ten unless you have no better options or draws, go for bigger combinations instead.

 

• Always hold a paying pair (tens or higher) over a lower pair or potential straight/flush draws.

 

• With three cards to a straight flush, keep them only if they are consecutive and high; otherwise, focus on pairs.

 

• Take advantage of casino bonuses or loyalty programs to boost your bankroll when playing Tens or Better.

 

• Manage your bankroll by setting win and loss limits to avoid chasing losses.

 

• I suggest taking occasional breaks to clear your mind. Playing with a fresh perspective often helps you make better choices.

 

• Don’t chase inside straights, hold out for stronger draws unless there’s no other option.

 

• When dealt four to a flush and no paying pair, it’s often worth going for the flush.

 

• If you’re playing Tens or Better and have to choose between keeping a paying pair or drawing for a risky straight or flush, I recommend sticking with the guaranteed payout.

 
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