Aces and Eights: Key Differences with Other Poker Games
The phrase “aces and eights” is familiar to every experienced poker player.
It can mean several different things, from the famous hand held by Wild Bill Hickok when he was shot (learn more in our guide on what is the dead man’s hand in poker?) to an aces and eights poker set prized by home players.
But there’s something even bigger and more deserving of being associated with this phrase: Aces and Eights video poker.
What is Aces and Eights?
Aces and Eights is a simple but immensely fun poker game you can play here at BetUS.
It uses the Five-Card Draw variant of the game, which means you start with five cards and must then choose how many you want to hold. All the cards you don’t hold will be discarded once you hit the deal button.
You will then receive new cards, creating a five-card poker hand checked against the paytable (shown on the game screen at all times).
You need a pair of Jacks or better to qualify, so anything less than this, such as a pair of tens, will result in a loss.
How Does Aces and Eights Video Poker Differ?
Most video poker games use classic poker hand rankings, meaning three-of-a-kind beats two pair, a full house beats three-of-a-kind, and a royal flush beats everything. In Aces and Eights video poker, the royal flush is still king, but it’s closely followed by four Aces and Eights, after which you’ll find a straight flush and four Sevens.
The lowest qualifying hand is a pair of Jacks or better. So, if you draw at least a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces, hold on to them and try to improve your hand by removing the other cards.
How to Play Aces and Eights Video Poker
If you have played video poker online before, you’re good to go, as Aces and Eights video poker follows a similar format and is just as easy to play.
Start by adjusting your stake. Choose a coin value and determine how many coins you want to play per hand, adjusting your total wager from a low of $0.25 to a high of $10 per game.
When you hit “Deal,” you’ll get five cards, and you must then decide which ones you want to keep and which you wish to discard. If you land a winning hand, you’ll be paid and can choose “Collect” or “Gamble.”
The latter option sends you to a double-or-nothing game. Make the right choice to double your funds; get it wrong, and you’ll lose all the winnings from your most recent game (this only applies to the game/hand and not your entire session or balance).
What is the Aces and Eights Poker Hand?
We said the term “Aces and Eights” was common, and we weren’t lying.
Wild West folk hero Wild Bill Hickok was said to have been holding a pair of Aces and Eights when he was shot, earning the hand the name “dead man’s hand,” which is still used in modern poler games.
Products and games that use the name include Aces and Eights poker chips and playing cards.
How Can You Win at Aces and Eights Video Poker?
Video poker games usually have a very low house edge, and Aces and Eights video poker is no exception. If you play with optimal strategy and keep your bankroll under control, you only need a little luck to get an edge over the casino.
Here are some strategies to employ when playing Aces and Eights video poker:
There are a few things to consider:
- Hold royal flush draws: Don’t pass up the chance to land a royal flush. It’s a long shot, but the payout is big enough to make it worth the risk. So, if you have three cards needed for a royal flush, hold them and take a chance.
- Always hold Jacks or better: A pair of Jacks is all you need to qualify for a win. So, if you change all other cards and aren’t able to improve, it doesn’t matter; you’ll still get a payout.
- Hold Aces and Eights: Aces and Eights are vital in this game, as they trigger some of its biggest payouts, and you’re more likely to get four-of-a-kind than you are a royal flush.
- Maintain your bankroll: Set a bankroll before you start playing. You should know how much you can afford to wager per month/week and how much to wager per session and game. These amounts are based on your affordability, so don’t increase wagers at a later date unless your circumstances change.
- Don’t gamble too much: The gamble option is a good way of livening things up occasionally, but it’s not something you want to overuse. It’s easy to use after every modest win, in which case your funds could dwindle faster than you expected.
Summary: Aces and Eights Video Poker
Whether you’re looking for an easy introduction to video poker or a title that mixes up the hand rankings, give Aces and Eights a go. There are big payouts for royal flushes, four-of-a-kind Eights, Aces, and Sevens, and the chance to gamble your winnings and pick up payouts with anything over a pair of Jacks.
Video Poker Common Queries
Do Aces and Eights win a poker hand?
It depends on what your opponent has. It’s usually a good hand, though, as it implies you have at least two pair (it could also reference a full house of Aces over Eights).
What is Aces and Eights poker?
It refers to a video poker game like the one at BetUS. It’s also a poker hand, more commonly known as a dead man’s hand, as Wild Bill Hickok was cleaning up in a saloon when he drew the hand and was shot and killed by a disgruntled former opponent.
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