Aces and Eights
Aces and Eight is another version of the standard draw video poker machine. There are other similar variations such as Aces and Faces, but Aces and Eights is easier to come around, especially at online casinos. As with other video poker machines, no other players are involved while you play. This does not mean there is no skill involved; to get the best results you must learn an optimal video poker strategy that will help you decide what actions to take when you play Aces and Eights or any other video poker machine. At the bottom of this page you will find a proven strategy that will get you the best results for Aces and Eights.
Where to Play Aces and Eights Video Poker
Aces and Eights is commonly found at online casinos. Online casinos usually offer a stock of 10 to 20 video poker variations and Aces and Eights has become one of their "classics" video poker games. Currently Real Time Gaming (RTG) and Microgaming casinos have this game available both for real money wagers and for entertainment play.
Each casino developer company made the game with a different façade. Microgaming casinos offer brightly colored VP machines, with hollow electronic sounds. Also, these games offer an analyzer tool that helps the player decide what the best move is after receiving the initial five card draw. An added extra is the statistics box that keeps your score of won and lost hands.
RTG casinos video poker machines have a darker feel but come with sharp and realistic graphics. The machines look like old video poker machines from a 90's casino. Casino chips are displayed on the lower right corner for players to enter the amount of (chips) money they want to play at the machine (other casinos simply deduct the wagers directly from your account balance).
Once main difference between RTG and Microgaming casinos is the paytable for the Aces and Eights game. We've checked several casinos and overall Microgaming casinos had a more generous paytable for this game.
How to Play Aces and Eights Video Poker
Once you learn how to play draw poker, you can play most video poker machines. Aces and Eights is no exception. After inserting money into your machine, press the Deal button to receive your five cards. Click on the cards you want to hold (if any) and press the deal button again to get new cards for the ones you did not hold. Your final 5-card poker hand is completed after the new draw and a payout is made according to the Aces and Eights paytable:
| Poker Hands | Coin 1 | Coin 2 | Coin 3 | Coin 4 | Coin 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 1,000 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Four of a Kind (Aces or Eights) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| Straight Flush | 70 | 140 | 210 | 280 | 350 |
| Four of a Kind (Sevens) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind (Others) | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
| Full House | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
As you can see above, Four-of-a-Kinds of Aces and Eights have a very high payout. This is how this game got its name. Four-of-a-kind of Sevens also has a larger payout compared to standard games such as Jacks or Better. The higher payouts for the higher-ranking hands have cut down on the payout for lower-ranking hands. Ideally a video poker machine should have a Full Pay 9/6 table, that means 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush on a 1 coin bet. Unfortunately most Aces and Eights games are short-pay video poker machines.
Tips and Optimal Strategy for Aces and Eight Video Poker
Keep the bets to a maximum; that is to say, bet 5 coins for every hand you play. There is an extra jackpot prize for the Royal Flush on the 5-coin bet.
Always hold a winning hand unless you have 4 cards to a Royal Flush or 3 Aces for that special Aces Four-of-a-Kind.
If you have no winning hand on the initial draw, hold these cards in this exact order:
- 3 to a Royal Flush/Straight Flush
- 4 to a Flush with at least one high card
- Pair of 8's
- 4 to a Flush with no high cards
- A Low Pair (non-paying pair)
- 4 cards to a straight
- 2 cards in a Row to a Royal Flush
- 3 cards to a straight
- 2 high cards (Jacks or better)
- Any high card
As a rule of thumb, never hold a kicker high card with a low pair. It's better to aim for that three-of-a-kind than getting the two pair.
By the way, you can find information about free video poker games on our friend's site. And about free slots on our other slot machines website.
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