Aces and Eights Video Poker
Aces and Eights, also known as the Dead Man’s Hand, is a popular video poker game that came into the limelight in the late 1800s. This game is based on the story of Wild Bill Hickock, a famous lawman, gunfighter, and legendary gambler who was shot dead while playing poker. It is said that Bill died holding a pair of 8s and a pair of Aces, and thus the name Dead Man’s Hand. The kicker is still unknown to date, but stories have it that it was either a Queen of Diamonds or a Jack.
Today, Aces and Eights is a played with a standard deck of 52 cards. It plays more or less like Jacks or Better with five cards dealt in the first hand. Hold all strong cards for a chance of building a high paying hand when playing.
Aces and Eights differs from most other video poker games in that it offers high payouts on the following hand combinations:
- Four of a Kind - Aces or 8s
- Four of a Kind - Other
- Four of a Kind - 7s
But, the Royal Flush is the highest paying hand in Aces and Eights.
Aces and Eights Hand Rankings
The list below shows how hands are ranked in Aces and Eights. The list shows the pay rankings from the highest paying hand to the lowest paying hand in consecutive order.
- Royal Flush
- Four of a Kind (Aces or 8s)
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind (7s)
- Four of a Kind (Others)
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pairs
- Jacks or Better
Just like in Jacks or Better video poker, you only need a pair of Jacks or better to earn a payout in Aces and Eights video poker.
How to Win Aces and Eights Video Poker
Aces and Eights strategy is different from other variants like Jacks or Better because Aces and Eights offers an increased payout for quad 8s, 7s, and Aces. Below is a simplified strategy for Aces and Eights video poker.
It may go without saying, but Aces and Eights strategy dictates that you should not draw more cards if you hold any of the following hands:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Straight
- Full House
- Flush
Draw only one card if you have the following hands:
- Four cards to a Royal Flush
- Four card open end Straight
- Four of a Kind
- Four-card Straight with at least three high cards
- Four-card Flush
- Four cards to a Straight Flush
- Two Pair
Draw two cards if you have the following hands:
- Three of a Kind
- Three cards to Straight with three high cards
- Three cards to a Straight Flush
- Three cards to a Royal Flush
Draw three cards with the following hands:
- A Pair
- Two high cards
- Two cards to a Royal Flush
If you have only one high card, draw four cards. It is better you draw four new cards and retain the high card. If, on the other hand, you hold two high cards, keep them and hope to draw a pair on one or both.
More so, if you not able to form any of the hands mentioned above, discard all five cards and draw five fresh ones.
A high card in Aces and Eights video poker is a Jack or higher (Jack, King, Queen, and Ace). Low cards are all those cards that are below a Jack in value. They run from 2 through to 10.
Aces and Eights in a Nutshell
In conclusion, Aces and Eights is a simple, easy, and rewarding game to play. It’s great for moderate players looking to add a twist to their video poker gaming. However, if you are looking for something more unpredictable then you may want to try out Double Bonus video poker where you get a chance to double your wins or lose it all.
