How to Play Aces And Eights Video Poker
Aces & Eights is just one of the many exciting variations of online video poker games devised by Microgaming, the leading developer of games software in the online casino industry. Other online gaming software companies may offer a similar video poker version to Aces and Eights, but the following guide will specifically reference the rules and pay tables of the Microgaming variant.
Aces and Eight Video Poker is played in the same fashion of all ‘Jacks or Better’ based video poker games. However, there is a twist on the pay table that awards more lucrative payouts for achieving the best hands with aces and/or eights. It also features an optional Double game on all winning hands.
Let’s take a look at the basic screen options of Aces & Eights Video Poker.
- Optional Coin Sizes: $0.25, $0.50, $1, $2, $5
- Coins per Play: 1 to 5
- Min / Max Bet: $0.25 / $25
- Max Payout: 4000 Coins
- Lowest Winning Hand: Pair of Jacks
How to Play Aces & Eights Video Poker
The Aces and Eights online video poker machine has a straight-forward layout that is very easy to understand. Players start by selecting a coin size with the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons. Then they can choose how many coins they want to bet, from 1 to five, by clicking on the “Bet One”? or “Bet Max”? buttons. If a player wishes to bet more than 1, but less than 5, they can press the Bet One button as many times as necessary. If the button is accidentally clicked more times than desired, clicking Bet One a sixth time will reset the bet to just one coin.
With the bet placed, it’s time to deal the cards. When the player clicks the Deal button, 5 cards are dealt face up. Note that the online casino will automatically place a ‘HELD’ line across the face of any cards that would be strategically best to hold. You are NOT required to keep these cards; it is merely a strategic suggestion. Clicking on any card will toggle it from HELD to discard.
When ready, clicking the Deal button will result in all un-held cards being discarded and replaced with new cards. As soon as the new 5-card hand appears, it will be evaluated by the online casino, with a winning hand paid accordingly.
If the hand is not a winner, the bet is collected by the machine and the player can choose to re-bet the same amount by clicking Deal, or place a new bet.
If the hand qualifies for a win, the rank of the hand will be highlighted on the pay table, along with the prize won. The player is then given the option to Collect their winnings, or Double their bet on the next hand.
Aces & Eights Double Feature
The Double option is an exciting feature where the player can double their winnings just by playing a simply High-Low card game. The screen changes to show five face-down cards. The first card is revealed. The player must then select any one of the remaining four cards. If the selected card is Higher in rank (Aces are always high) than the first card, they win the doubled bet. If not, the entire bet is lost and the screen returns to the original video poker game.
When a player wins the Double feature, they are asked again if they wish to Double their bet, or collect their winnings and return to the main Aces and Eights video poker screen. If they choose to double, the same game is played.
Aces & Eights Pay Table
| Bet 1 | Bet 2 | Bet 3 | Bet 4 | Bet 5 | |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 70 | 140 | 210 | 280 | 350 |
| 4 of a Kind (As or 8s) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| 4 of a Kind (7s) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 of a Kind (other) | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
| Full House | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 |
| 3 of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
The simplicity of rules is nice, but lack of diverse game modes might be uninspiring long-term.