Many casino fans enjoy playing Tens or Better because it closely resembles the ever-so-popular Jacks or Better. Even the names of the two variants suggest they are similar.
The winning hands in Tens or Better are almost the same as those in Jacks or Better, and if you have played the latter, you will easily understand Tens or Better. Even though the expected return on Jacks or Better is higher, Tens or Better can still be quite lucrative. As the name of this variant indicates, the lowest-paying hand has been changed to at least a pair of 10s.
Although the two games are very similar, it is important to recognize which Tens or Better games offer the best payouts. You must also make sure that you use the right strategy to unlock your full potential and enjoy a profitable video poker session.
Things to Know About Tens or Better
When it comes to the rules of Tens or Better, you should have no trouble playing this video poker variation. You play with a standard 52-card deck, no jokers, no wild cards. As with any video poker game, you begin by choosing the size of your bet. Typically, the maximum you can wager is 5 coins.
On your first draw, you are dealt 5 cards and must decide which to hold and which to replace. Some versions of the game give you the option to make a Double or Nothing bet, allowing you to double your winnings if you land a winning hand. If you choose to double, you must draw a higher-ranked card than the dealer’s to win. If the dealer’s card is higher, you lose your winnings.
To determine what hand you are holding and which one you can aim to form, you need to know the hand rankings in Tens or Better. Fortunately, the winning hands are almost the same as in Jacks or Better. The only difference is the lowest-paying hand, which is Tens or Better. This means that you must hold at least a pair of 10s to be paid.
As you can see, although Tens or Better is based on Jacks or Better, landing a winning hand in the former is easier. This advantage comes at a price, however, because the payouts are slightly lower.
Many video poker fans enjoy Tens or Better because it is one of the easiest games to play. Achieving a winning hand is simpler than in many other video poker variants. While the payouts are slightly lower, Tens or Better is a great choice for players who are not chasing the largest rewards.
Tens or Better Variations and Their Paytables
If you decide to play Tens or Better, you must make sure you pick the right game. For this purpose, you must be well aware of the best possible payouts that Tens or Better can offer. The winning hands resemble those in Jacks or Better, but some payouts may be lower, reducing your overall returns. You probably know that the best results come from the full-pay variant of Tens or Better, and we will show you how to recognize it.
Full-Pay Tens or Better
If you find a full-pay version of Tens or Better, you will enjoy the best possible return of 99.14%. However, this percentage is achievable only if you bet 5 coins and use perfect strategy.
The paytable for the full-pay version looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 to 1 |
| Full House | 6 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Tens or Better | 1 to 1 |
The key payouts to watch are Four of a Kind, Full House, and Flush, which should be 25 to 1, 6 to 1, and 5 to 1 respectively. You may see an almost identical paytable where Two Pair pays only 1 to 1. Avoid that variant because it will drastically reduce your winning chances.
25/6/4 Tens or Better
If you cannot find a full-pay option, you should know the next best variant. Although it is hard to find a 25/6/4 Tens or Better game, it is the best short-pay version. The only change is that a Flush pays 4 to 1. When you bet the maximum and use the right strategy, the expected return is about 98.10%.
The paytable for this variant of Tens or Better looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 to 1 |
| Full House | 6 to 1 |
| Flush | 4 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Tens or Better | 1 to 1 |
25/5/5 Tens or Better
This version is also rare, but you may encounter it at some gaming sites. Here, the payout for a Full House is lowered to 5 to 1 instead of 6 to 1. This change decreases the expected return to 97.99% and reduces your chances of a profitable session. Remember, this percentage applies only when you bet 5 coins and use optimal strategy.
The paytable for this version of Tens or Better looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 to 1 |
| Full House | 5 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Tens or Better | 1 to 1 |
20/6/5 Tens or Better
While some versions of Tens or Better are hard to find, the 20/6/5 variant is one of the most common. This popularity exists because the casino gains a solid edge from the lowered payouts. In this version, Four of a Kind pays only 20 to 1 instead of 25 to 1, decreasing the payout percentage to 97.96%. As with the previous versions, this return is accurate only when you bet the maximum and use optimal strategy.
The paytable for this Tens or Better variant is:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20 to 1 |
| Full House | 6 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Tens or Better | 1 to 1 |
40/20/6/5 Tens or Better
This variant is not very popular, but if you ever come across such a machine, you should avoid it. The payouts for both Straight Flush and Four of a Kind are reduced. Because a Straight Flush pays 40 to 1 instead of 50 to 1 and Four of a Kind pays only 20 to 1 instead of 25 to 1, the expected return drops to 97.86%.
The paytable for this variant of Tens or Better looks like this:
| Hand | Paytable |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 40 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20 to 1 |
| Full House | 6 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 |
| Tens or Better | 1 to 1 |
Strategy to Use on Tens or Better
If you have mastered the strategy for Jacks or Better, learning Tens or Better will be easy. Using the right strategy will help you achieve the maximum expected return and the best results. Because a pair of 10s pays even money, you should hold that pair whenever it appears, as it at least guarantees a push if you do not improve.
Along with 10s, keep any higher pair. If you are dealt two Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces, the best option is to keep them and draw three new cards. Low pairs do not result in a payout, so discard them to improve your chances of making a Straight or a Flush.
If you hold no winning hand, keep any pair of 10s or higher to recover your stake. You should not break up a winning hand after the initial draw. The only exception is when you hold four or five cards to a Royal Flush.
When you draw a low pair, your approach changes. For example, you often have a better chance of a payout if you keep three cards to a Straight or a Flush instead of a pair lower than 10.
The main goal in Tens or Better strategy is to aim for higher-paying hands. Therefore, it is better to try for a Straight Flush or a Royal Flush instead of settling for a made Straight or Pair. One exception is a Straight Flush draw that includes K-9 of the same suit. In this case, keep the 9 and try to complete the Straight Flush instead of discarding it to chase a Royal Flush.
The strategy chart for Tens or Better looks like this:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | hold all five cards |
| Straight Flush | hold all five cards |
| Four of a Kind | hold all five cards |
| Full House | hold all five cards |
| Four to a Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Flush | hold all five cards |
| Three of a Kind | draw two cards |
| Straight | hold all five cards |
| Four to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Two Pair | draw one card |
| High Pair | draw three cards |
| Three to a Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Four to a Flush | draw one card |
| One Low Pair | draw three cards |
| Four to a Straight | draw one card |
| Three to a Straight Flush | draw two cards |
| Two to a Royal Flush | draw three cards |
| Two High Cards | draw three cards |
| One High Card | draw four cards |
| No hand | draw five cards |
The final tip when playing Tens or Better is to bet the maximum amount, typically 5 coins. This approach gives you the highest possible expected return and the chance for the maximum payout on a Royal Flush. While Tens or Better offers lower payouts than Jacks or Better, it remains a fantastic video poker option for recreational players.