Tens or Better
Table of Contents
Tens or Better is a Video Poker game which is a modified version of Jacks or Better. The modifications to the standard Jacks or Better game are that the minimum qualifying hand is now Tens or Better while Full House and Flush hands have a reduced payout.
For ease of comparison, the below table displays the best House Edge for Tens or Better available at each software provider;
| Software | 5 coins House Edge |
|---|---|
| Amaya | 0.86% |
| Betsoft | 0.86% |
| Bwin/Party | 1.59%* |
| Cryptologic | 0.86% |
| Dragonfish | 1.49%** |
| GameSys | 0.01% |
| IGT | 1.53% |
| Microgaming | 0.86% |
| Playtech | 2.04% |
| RealTime Gaming | 0.86% |
| Rival | 0.86% |
| Vuetec | 3.93% |
| Wager21 | (-6.74%) – (-1.44%)*** |
* We don’t recommend playing with any casino using Bwin/Party software due to increased risk of player issues.
* We don’t recommend playing with any casino using Dragonfish (888) software due to increased risk of player issues.
*It is highly likely that Wager21 software does not operate in a random fashion and as such the figures included in this article while accurate for a fair game are likely inaccurate.
Online we’ve found Tens or Better Video Poker at casinos using Microgaming, Playtech, Cryptologic, Rival, BetSoft, Bwin/Party, Vuetec, Wager21 and Wager Gaming Solutions software. The paytables we’ve seen are displayed below;
Some notes on the tables below;
– We’ve included both the 5 coin House Edge and the House Edge when playing 1-4 coins. Usually the House Edge for 1-4 coins are the same and as such only one figure is listed. To find the house edge/paytable for 2-4 coins just multiple the 1 coin figure by the number of coins. Where the paytables differ by coins you’ll find four figures running from 1 coin on the left to 4 coins on the right.
Amaya
| Amaya | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 25 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 0.86% | 2.15% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 2.15%.
Betsoft
| Betsoft | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 25 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 0.86% | 0.86% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 0.86%.
Bwin/Party
| Bwin/Party | 1 coin |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000 |
| Straight Flush | 40 |
| 4oaK | 20 |
| Full House | 6 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| 3oaK | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 1 |
| House Edge | 1.59% |
* Only 1 coin available.
* We consider the Bwin/Party group to be a poor choice for players with a high risk of player issues.
Cryptologic
| Cryptologic | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 25 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 0.86% | 2.15% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 2.15%.
Dragonfish (888)
| Dragonfish | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 5000 | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 100 | 20 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 1.49% | 3.33% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 3.33%.
* Due to various player issues we do not recommend playing with any casino using Dragonfish software.
GameSys
| GameSys (Normal) | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1250 | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 110 | 22 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 2.86% | 2.86% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 2.86%.
| GameSys (No House Edge) | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 2000 | 400 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 115 | 23 |
| Full House | 35 | 7 |
| Flush | 30 | 6 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 0.01% | 0.01% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 0.01%.
Microgaming
| Microgaming | 5 coins | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| House Edge | 0.86% | 1.60% | 1.60% | 1.20% | 0.99% |
Playtech
| Playtech | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 100 | 20 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 2.04% | 2.04% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 2.04%.
Realtime Gaming
| Wager Gaming Solutions | 5 coins | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| House Edge | 0.86% | 1.60% | 1.60% | 1.20% | 0.99% |
Rival
| Rival | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 25 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 0.86% | 2.15% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 2.15%.
Vuetec
| Vuetec | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4000 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 60 | 25 |
| Full House | 30 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | 3.93% | 3.93% |
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at 3.93%.
Wager21
| Wager21 | 5 coins | 1-4 coins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | Jackpot | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 50 |
| 4oaK | 125 | 20 |
| Full House | 40 | 6 |
| Flush | 25 | 5 |
| Straight | 20 | 4 |
| 3oaK | 15 | 3 |
| 2 Pairs | 10 | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 5 | 1 |
| House Edge | (-1.44%)-(-6.74%)* | (-0.15%) |
*It is highly likely that Wager21 software does not operate in a random fashion and as such the figures included in this article while accurate for a fair game are likely inaccurate.
* The paytables for 2, 3 and 4 coins are just the paytable for 1 coin multiplied by the number of coins. The House Edge for 1-4 coins are all equal at -0.15%.
*This is a progressive game. Even at the lowest jackpot level, if the game operates fairly the player has an edge over the casino.
Paytable Analyser
If you encounter a different paytable you can use our Paytable Analyser to find the House Edge for the game.
Strategy Calculator
To find out the correct play for individual hands use our Strategy Calculator which will tell you the correct cards to hold for the paytable you are playing.
Strategy Trainer
If you intend to play a lot of Tens or Better we would advise learning the optimal strategy for the game you’ll be playing. Below you’ll find a strategy trainer that will allow you to practice the game and correct you when you make mistakes;
*All figures in this article rely on use of a strategy optimized to the specific paytable in use. Use of any other strategy will increase the House Edge. You can find the optimized strategy for any paytable using the calculators on this page.