Tens or Better Variations

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Written by Boris Atanasov
Boris Atanasov
With more than 4+ years of experience in the iGaming industry, Boris Atanasov writes exciting content about slots, video poker, roulette and blackjack.
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Video poker is an obvious choice for both experienced players and complete beginners, thanks to its inherent simplicity and high entertainment value. These games are particularly appealing because they have the lowest house edge of all casino games. Even better, players can determine the house advantage at a glance by reviewing the paytable.

Tens or Better is another fan-favorite video poker variant, with Jacks or Better serving as its precursor. This variant has become popular because it offers some unique characteristics. Winning combinations are formed more easily than in other video poker variants available today.

To make the most of their betting sessions, players should gain a better understanding of the different versions of Tens or Better they may encounter and the intricacies of each one.

All There Is To Know About Tens or Better

To an inexperienced player, Tens or Better might look like the best video poker option simply because a pair of Tens is enough to earn a payout. However, as you may already know, this change to the paytable affects the payouts for all other hands.

Video poker is one of the few casino games in which players can influence the outcome, which explains its popularity. In fact, Tens or Better shares many features with Jacks or Better: there are no wild cards or Jokers, so the game is always played with a standard 52-card deck.

What Does It Take To Play Tens or Better
blank Winning Hands in Tens or Better
blank Probabilities of The Winning Hands in Full-Pay Tens or Better

What Does It Take To Play Tens or Better

As with every video poker variant, the first decision players must make after choosing a game is how much they want to wager. During the session, they will select the coin denomination and then decide how many coins to stake.

If, for example, the coin value is $0.20 and you choose to bet five coins, the total wager will be $1. It is generally best to stake the maximum of five coins; otherwise, the Royal Flush payout drops sharply. Betting five coins yields 4,000 credits, whereas wagering four coins returns only 1,000 credits.

Some versions of Tens or Better also give players the option to switch between single-hand and multi-hand modes. The number of hands available varies by game, but in most cases, you can bet on up to 50 or 100 hands at once.

Number of Credits 1 credit 2 credits 3 credits 4 credits 5 credits
Expected return percentage based on the number of credits 97.85% 97.85% 97.85% 97.85% 99.14%

As with all video poker games, there is no need to be discouraged if the initial deal produces no winning hand. By making optimal decisions, you still have a chance to improve your hand after the draw and collect a payout.

Winning Hands in Tens or Better

Tens or Better gets its name from the lowest-paying hand on its paytable: a pair of Tens. This hand earns a payout here but not in most other video poker games, where you need at least a pair of Jacks.

Aside from that difference, the remainder of the paytable closely mirrors that of Jacks or Better. Seasoned players will quickly notice that some hands pay less generously than they do in Jacks or Better, a difference that can affect long-term returns.

Although payouts are broadly similar across most variants of Tens or Better, players should always review the paytable of the specific game to ensure they are getting the most favorable terms.

A quick glance at the paytable shows that the highest reward comes from a Royal Flush, followed by a Straight Flush. Next are Four of a Kind, Full House, and Flush. The lower-paying hands are Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and Tens or Better.

Probabilities of The Winning Hands in Full-Pay Tens or Better

Hand Probability
Royal Flush 0.000026
Straight Flush 0.000103
Four of a Kind 0.002358
Full House 0.011497
Flush 0.010654
Straight 0.012357
Three of a Kind 0.074265
Two Pair 0.129007
Tens or Better 0.254251
No winning hand 0.505482

Comparison of Full-Pay Variants of Tens or Better, Jacks or Better, and Deuces Wild

Just as with slots, video poker pays out according to the winning combination formed. Because the game uses a standard 52-card deck, the probability of receiving any particular card is the same as it would be in live play. Of course, the odds change in variants that include wild cards or Jokers.

Another key point is that nearly every video poker game shares the same payout for a Royal Flush. This hand – 10, J, Q, K, and A of the same suit – appears about once every 40,000 hands when players follow optimal strategy.

In most paytables a Royal Flush pays 250 to 1 when betting one to four credits. Wagering the maximum number of credits boosts that payout to 800 to 1, which is why seasoned players always max out their bets.

blank Paytable of Full-Pay Tens or Better
blank Paytable of Full-Pay Jacks or Better
blank Paytable of Full-Pay Deuces Wild

Paytable of Full-Pay Tens or Better

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 50 100 150 200 250
Four of a Kind 25 50 75 100 125
Full House 6 12 18 24 30
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
Tens or Better 1 2 3 4 5

Paytable of Full-Pay Jacks or Better

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 50 100 150 200 250
Four of a Kind 25 50 75 100 125
Full House 9 18 27 36 45
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

Paytable of Full-Pay Deuces Wild

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Natural Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Four Deuces 200 400 600 800 1,000
Wild Royal Flush 25 50 75 100 125
Five of a Kind 15 30 45 60 75
Straight Flush 9 18 27 36 45
Four of a Kind 5 10 15 20 25
Full House 3 6 9 12 15
Flush 2 4 6 8 10
Straight 2 4 6 8 10
Three of a Kind 1 2 3 4 5


Most Common Tens or Better Variants

If you are already familiar with video poker, you know that full-pay variants offer the best value. To distinguish the top versions of Tens or Better from lesser ones, simply look closely at the payouts for key hands.

blank Full-Pay Tens of Better
blank 25/6/4 Tens or Better
blank 25/5/5 Tens or Better
blank 20/6/5 Tens or Better
blank 40/20/6/5 Tens or Better

Full-Pay Tens of Better

As mentioned, full-pay, or 25/6/5, versions of Tens or Better are the ones experienced players seek out because they deliver the highest returns. If your casino offers this variant, it is worth considering. When played with optimal strategy, it can reach an RTP of 99.14%, about 0.40 percentage points lower than the full-pay version of Jacks or Better. This figure applies only when you wager the maximum number of coins.

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 50 100 150 200 250
Four of a Kind 25 50 75 100 125
Full House 6 12 18 24 30
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
Tens or Better 1 2 3 4 5

To identify a full-pay Tens or Better game, focus on the payouts for Full House and Flush. In a full-pay game, a five-coin Flush pays 25 coins, yielding a net profit of 20 coins once the five-coin stake is subtracted.

When we compare the full-pay paytables of Jacks or Better and Tens or Better, we see that Jacks or Better pays more for Full House and Flush, at 9 for 1 and 6 for 1, respectively.

Players should also examine how often the lowest-paying hands occur. In Jacks or Better, the lowest-paying hand appears roughly 21% of the time. In Tens or Better, a pair of Tens, the lowest-paying hand, appears about 25% of the time.

As expected, the higher frequency of the lowest-paying hand is balanced by reduced payouts for premium hands such as Full House and Flush.

25/6/4 Tens or Better

The 25/6/4 version of Tens or Better is rarely available, but it is worth looking for because it comes close to the full-pay variant in value.

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 50 100 150 200 250
Four of a Kind 25 50 75 100 125
Full House 6 12 18 24 30
Flush 4 8 12 16 20
Straight 4 8 12 16 20
Three of a Kind 3 6 9 12 15
Two Pair 2 4 6 8 10
Tens or Better 1 2 3 4 5

If you find this game, you will notice that the Flush payout has been reduced. Instead of paying 5 for 1, it pays 4 for 1. This adjustment lowers the RTP by about one percentage point to 98.10%. The reduction is significant because Flushes appear more often than many players realize.

25/5/5 Tens or Better

Another occasionally encountered variant is 25/5/5 Tens or Better. As its name indicates, the payout for a Full House is reduced. The table shows that a Full House pays 5 for 1 instead of 6 for 1.

This reduction directly affects the game’s RTP, which drops to about 97.99%, and that figure applies only when you bet the maximum number of credits. Wagering fewer coins reduces the return further.

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 50 100 150 200 250
Four of a Kind 25 50 75 100 125
Full House 5 10 15 20 25
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
Tens or Better 1 2 3 4 5

20/6/5 Tens or Better

The Tens or Better variant players are most likely to encounter is 20/6/5, a version that increases the house edge.

As the designation indicates, a Four of a Kind pays only 20 for 1 instead of the standard 25 for 1. The Full House and Flush payouts are 6 for 1 and 5 for 1, respectively. Taken together, these payouts lower the expected RTP to 97.96%.

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 50 100 150 200 250
Four of a Kind 20 40 60 80 100
Full House 6 12 18 24 30
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
Tens or Better 1 2 3 4 5

40/20/6/5 Tens or Better

Although 40/20/6/5 Tens or Better is rarely offered, players should avoid it when they encounter it. The house gains a sizable advantage from the reduced payouts for Four of a Kind and Straight Flush. A Four of a Kind pays 20 for 1 instead of 25 for 1, while a Straight Flush pays 40 for 1 instead of 50 for 1.

As a result, this variant’s expected return falls to 97.86%.

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1,000 4,000
Straight Flush 40 80 120 160 200
Four of a Kind 20 40 60 80 100
Full House 6 12 18 24 30
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
Tens or Better 1 2 3 4 5

RTP of The Different Variants of Tens or Better Compared

One of the most common mistakes players make is choosing a Tens or Better variant without first looking at its RTP.

A lower house edge lets you keep more of your bankroll than you would on games like slots. While the effect is gradual, over time the difference in house edge can have a significant impact on your funds.

blank The Payback Percentage of Tens or Better And Its Impact on The Bankroll of Players
blank Comparison of the RTPs of The Different Tens or Better Variants

The Payback Percentage of Tens or Better And Its Impact on The Bankroll of Players

Many players underestimate the importance of a game’s expected return percentage, assuming it has little effect on a single session. In reality, RTP represents the share of wagers a game returns over the long term, so it is particularly important to serious video poker players.

RTP is calculated by combining each hand’s payout with its probability of occurring. Fortunately, you do not need to perform the calculations yourself. You can check the game’s paytable to assess its value.

The full-pay version of Tens or Better is easy to identify because its RTP exceeds 99%. Although it falls short of the expected return offered by 9/6 Jacks or Better, it can still be a worthwhile option.

Look for 25/6/5 Tens or Better, which has the lowest house edge among the listed variants. At an RTP of 99.14%, the casino retains approximately $0.86 for every $100 wagered over the long term.

By comparison, the 40/20/6/5 version has an RTP of 97.86%, meaning the house retains approximately $2.14 per $100 wagered over the long term. This difference shows why full-pay versions are the better option and why 25/6/5 games can be difficult to find.

Comparison of the RTPs of The Different Tens or Better Variants

Tens or Better Variant RTP
Full-Pay Tens or Better (25/6/5) 99.14%
25/6/4 Tens or Better 98.10%
25/5/5 Tens or Better 97.99%
20/6/5 Tens or Better 97.96%
40/20/6/5 Tens or Better 97.86%

Remember that these RTPs apply only when you bet five credits and follow the optimal Tens or Better strategy.

There are fewer Tens or Better variants than Jacks or Better games. If you prefer Tens or Better, you are most likely to encounter either the full-pay or the 20/6/5 version, as these are the most common options.


Strategy for Playing Tens or Better

Deciding what to do with the cards you are dealt is the most challenging aspect of video poker. In Tens or Better – as in all video poker – the optimal play is the one with the highest expected value. Calculating that value on the fly can be difficult, especially for newcomers, which is why we have provided a strategy table below.

Using the table is simple: locate the first line that matches your hand, starting at the top, and follow the recommended action.

Because the paytables of Tens or Better and Jacks or Better differ, the Tens or Better strategy is adjusted to account for the payout on a pair of Tens. For example, holding four cards to a Flush over One Pair is correct in Jacks or Better, but not in Tens or Better.

blank Moves Based on The Hand Players Are Dealt
blank Few More Things to Consider while Playing Tens or Better

Moves Based on The Hand Players Are Dealt

Hand the player is dealt Player’s Move
Royal Flush No cards should be thrown away
Straight Flush No cards should be thrown away
Four Cards to a Royal Flush Throw away the odd card
Four of a Kind Throw away the odd card
Full House No cards should be thrown away
Flush No cards should be thrown away
Straight No cards should be thrown away
Three of a Kind Throw away the two odd cards
Four Cards to a Straight Flush Throw away the odd card
Two Pair Throw away the odd card
Tens or Better Throw away the three odd cards
Three Cards to a Royal Flush Throw away the two odd cards
Four Cards to a Flush Throw away the odd card
10, J, Q, and K Throw away the odd card
One Pair Throw away the three odd cards
Four Cards to a Straight (three strong cards) Throw away the odd card
Three Cards to a Straight Flush Throw away the two odd cards
Three Cards to a Straight (three strong cards) Throw away the two odd cards
Two High Cards of One Suit Throw away the three odd cards
Four Cards to an Open-Ended Straight Throw away the odd card
J, Q, and K Throw away the two odd cards
K and J or K and Q Throw away the three odd cards
Two Cards to a Royal Flush Throw away the three odd cards
10 and J or 10 and Q of One Suit Throw away the three odd cards
Two Strong Cards Throw away the three odd cards
One Strong Card Throw away the four odd cards
All Other Cases Throw away all cards

Few More Things to Consider while Playing Tens or Better

Following this strategy can be the key to a successful session, but there are a few additional points to consider before placing real-money bets.

Many players underestimate the importance of bet size. As noted, wagering the maximum of five credits is the best way to qualify for the highest Royal Flush payout. Because a Royal Flush is the top-paying hand, betting fewer than five coins reduces its payout significantly.

If the initial deal produces no winning hand, always check whether you hold a Ten or higher. Even one such card may be worth keeping because it gives you a chance to complete a pair of Tens or better.

Finally, focus on pursuing higher-paying hands whenever possible rather than settling for lower returns.

In other words, aim for a Straight Flush or Royal Flush instead of settling for a Pair or Straight when the appropriate strategy favors the higher-paying hand.


Best Variants of Tens or Better to Enjoy Online

Tens or Better attracts players with its simplicity, and the wide variety of online versions available proves just how popular the game has become.

blank Tens or Better by Red Rake
blank Tens or Better by Habanero
blank Tens or Better by WGS
blank Tens or Better by Microgaming

Tens or Better by Red Rake

One of the most engaging versions of Tens or Better is the one developed by Red Rake. Its high-quality visuals distinguish it from many video poker games, and its RTP is approximately 99.15%.

Like other Red Rake video poker games, this version supports multi-hand play, allowing players to wager on up to 50 hands at once. It also includes an auto-hold feature. New players may appreciate that selecting a hand in the paytable reveals the cards that form it.

A thunder button allows players to speed up gameplay.

After forming a winning hand, players can launch the double-or-nothing side game. In addition to guessing the color of a face-down card, they can guess its suit for a larger payout.

Tens or Better by Habanero

Habanero’s Tens or Better may appeal to players who prefer playing more than one hand at a time. When the game loads, players can choose to play 1, 5, 10, 50, or 100 hands simultaneously. To reach the maximum RTP of 99.14%, they must wager the maximum of six credits.

This version offers several convenient features. In addition to auto-hold, it includes an auto-play option that can run for 50 or 100 rounds and can be stopped at any time. Auto-hold selects cards according to the optimal Tens or Better strategy.

However, this variant does not include a double-or-nothing bonus game.

Tens or Better by WGS

Players who enjoy classic-style video poker may want to try Tens or Better by WGS. Although its graphics are simple, the game runs smoothly, and its retro sound effects evoke traditional video poker machines.

Bet sizes range from $0.25 to $50. After a win, players can either collect their payout or enter the double-down bonus game. In the bonus game, choosing a card higher than the face-up card can increase the payout. Players can collect their winnings from the double-or-nothing feature at any time.

Tens or Better by Microgaming

Microgaming offers games across many casino genres, including video poker. Its 25/6/5 version of Tens or Better offers generous payouts and a 99.14% RTP.

Beginners may appreciate the game’s streamlined control panel. Bet sizes, adjusted using plus and minus buttons, range from $1.25 to $25. Increasing the number of credits also increases the potential payouts, and betting five credits qualifies players for the highest Royal Flush award.

Although this version does not include an auto-hold feature, it offers a double-or-nothing side game.

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