Tens or Better Variations

Full-Pay Tens of Better

As we explained already, the full-pay or 25/6/5 variants of Tens or Better are the ones avid casino fans should always keep a lookout for because they offer heftier payouts. If the casino you are currently playing at offers such a variant, you should easily give it a shot because applying the optimal strategy means that the maximum RTP they can achieve is 99.14%, which is a difference of around 0.40% with the full-pay versions of Jacks or Better. Of course, this expected return can only be achieved, given that gambling enthusiasts wager the maximum number of coins.

In order for players to recognize the full-pay versions of Tens or Better, they should take a closer look at the payouts that are awarded when Full House and Flush are formed. Choosing full-pay variants of Tens or Better means that when Flush is formed after staking five credits, the profit of gambling enthusiasts will be 20 coins (25 coins minus the stake of 5 credits players have made).

As likely as not, at this point, you might find it challenging to say whether such games are worthwhile or not. Now, if we compare the paytables of the full-pay variants of Jacks or Better and Tens or Better, what you will notice right off the bat is that Jacks or Better pays at a higher rate for a Full House and Flush, and the offered payouts will be 9 for 1 and 6 for 1, respectively.

Gambling aficionados should also consider their chances of getting the least-paying hands while playing each of the games as well. Giving Jacks or Better a try means that players should expect to see the least-rewarding hands around 21% of the time. Going for Tens or Better means that a pair of Tens, which is the least rewarding hand, will be formed around 25% of the time.

As one would expect, the better chances of getting the least-paying hand are made up for with the reduction of the payouts offered for high-ranking hands like Full House and Flush.

25/6/4 Tens or Better

The 25/6/4 version of Tens or Better is very infrequently found, but checking out for its availability is recommendable because it is almost as good as the full-pay variants.

If you happen to find such a variant of Tens or Better, you will notice that the payout a Flush offers is brought down, and instead of being paid at the rate of 5 for 1 for a Flush, gambling enthusiasts will collect a payout of 4 for 1. As a result of the reduction of such payouts, the return percentage of these games will shrink by almost 1%, and will stand at 98.10%. The amendment of the payout for a Flush is not something to overlook as such hands will be formed more frequently than players might expect.

25/5/5 Tens or Better

Another variant of Tens or Better, which can be found on rare occasions is the 25/5/5. As the name of such games suggests, players will be offered lessened payouts for a Full House than the ones we described already. As the table shows, the payout for Full House is scaled down, and when such a hand is formed, gambling enthusiasts will rack up a prize of 5 for 1 instead of 6 for 1.

The cut of the payout rates of these common hands is reflected by the return percentage of these games, and normally, their RTP will run at around 97.99%. Please bear in mind that players will achieve this RTP only when they stake the maximum number of credits. Otherwise, the return percentage of the game will decrease even further.

20/6/5 Tens or Better

The variant of Tens or Better gambling aficionados are most likely to come across while being on the lookout for such video poker games is the 20/6/5. This is hardly surprising considering the fact that these Tens or Better variants give the house an even greater edge.

As evident from the name, with this video poker variant, gambling enthusiasts will not walk away with a payout of 25 for 1 for a Four of a Kind, but will instead be paid at the rate of 20 for 1, which indeed is a sharp reduction. The payoffs offered for Full House and Flush are worth considering as well, and by closer inspection of the pay scheme of these games, players will notice that these hands award payouts of 6 for 1 and 5 for 1, respectively. Because of all these adjustments that are made to the paytable, the expected return percentage of these games will drop down to 97.96%.

40/20/6/5 Tens or Better

The 40/20/6/5 variants of Tens or Better are present on very rare occasions, but if gambling enthusiasts happen to find such, they should give it a wide berth. The reason why gambling enthusiasts are advised to steer clear of such variants of Tens or Better is that the house gains an immense edge through the reduction of the payouts offered for Four of a Kind and Straight Flush. The payouts for Four of a Kind is significantly lowered, and getting such a winning hand will render players eligible for a payout of 20 for 1, and not the regular payoff of 25 for 1. The payoff for a Straight Flush is decreased sharply too, and instead of 50 for 1, such winning hands pay at the rate of 40 for 1.

It is easy to see why this is a lesser-paying variant of Tens or Better, and choosing it means that the expected return percentage will shrink to 97.86%.

Tens or Better by Red Rake

One of the most intriguing versions of Tens or Better players will come across is the one designed by Red Rake. It is in a class of its own as its visuals stand out with their superb quality, which is not usually the case with most video poker games. The game’s RTP is around 99.15%, which is yet another reason why it is worth giving a shot.

Just like the rest of the video poker games that are courtesy of Red Rake, Tens or Better also supplies multi-hand play, and based on their preferences, gambling enthusiasts can bet on 50 hands at most. The auto-hold feature is one more common feature the video poker games designed by Red Rake share, and Tens or Better is not an exception. What inexperienced players might like about this game is that once they click or tap on one of the hands in the pay scheme, they will see what cards such hands are made of.

There is also a thunder button, which allows players to enjoy the game at a much faster pace.

The double-or-nothing game can be kicked off after a winning hand is completed, and it is easily not what players might be used to seeing as aside from the color of a face-down card, they can also try to guess its suit and thus to bag even heftier payoffs.

Tens or Better by Habanero

Habanero’s Tens or Better is a game players might be taken with if betting on a single hand at a time is not their thing. As they power up the game, they will be asked to decide if playing 1, 5, 10, 50, or 100 hands at once is what they want. In order for players to achieve the maximum RTP of the game of 99.14%, they should wager the maximum number of six credits.

This version of Tens or Better has several bonus features on offer, and along with the auto-hold feature, players can also go for auto-play. The latter can be activated for 50 for 100 rounds, and players are allowed to turn it off whenever they feel like it. As for the auto-hold feature, it will automatically hold the cards based on the optimal betting strategy for Tens or Better.

Yet, while playing this video poker variant, players cannot take advantage of the double-or-nothing bonus game.

Tens or Better by WGS

Avid casino fans who prefer old-school video poker variants should check Tens or Better by WGS. In spite of the fact that the game is not that eye-catching, it works smoothly at all times. The sound effects also mimic the ones of old-fashioned video poker machines, which adds up to the authenticity of the experience.

The staked amount can be anywhere between $0.25 and $50, which renders the game a perfect fit for all players, even the budgeted ones. Getting a win means that players can either collect their payout or opt for the double-down bonus game. Choosing the latter option means that players will see their winnings soar, on the condition that they pick a stronger card than the one, which is face-up. The best thing about the double-or-nothing game is that players can collect their winnings at any point.

Tens or Better by Microgaming

Microgaming is among the software providers that offer exceptionally extensive coverage of most genres of casino games, video poker included. Their 25/6/5 variant of Tens or Better resonates exceptionally well with players, which is not much of a surprise considering the bountiful rewards it offers and decent RTP of 99.14%.

What total novices will enjoy most about the game is that its control panel is quite simplified. Players can adjust their bets using the plus and minus buttons, and the amounts they can go for can range between $1.25 and $25. As they increase the number of credits staked, players will notice that the payouts they will be in for will be on the increase. Betting five credits is what it takes to try to collect the most whopping payout Royal Flush offers.

In spite of the fact that this version of Tens or Better does not offer the auto-hold feature, players can still benefit from the double-or-nothing one.