Aces and Faces Video Poker Strategy: Maximize Wins, Understand Payouts, and Boost Your Bankroll

What is Aces and Faces Video Poker?

Aces and Faces is a five-card draw video poker game. Like other video poker titles, you are dealt five cards and have the opportunity to replace any subset of those cards in a single draw. The aim is to form a standard poker hand after the draw, with certain hands paying out according to the game’s paytable. The distinguishing feature of Aces and Faces, compared to more widely known variants like Jacks or Better, is that the paytable and strategy emphasize hands that include aces and face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings). Because of that emphasis, the optimal holds and payouts can differ from other variants, so always check the exact paytable on the machine or online game you’re playing.

In practice, Aces and Faces rewards players who can seize opportunities for strong hands that include aces or face cards, such as two pair with high cards, three of a kind containing high cards, full houses, and four of a kind. The presence of high-value cards in the paytable means there can be more profitable holding options when you’re dealt certain combinations, which makes a good strategy chart especially valuable.

Key Differences from Other Video Poker Variants

• Paytable emphasis: Aces and Faces often places extra value on hands that involve aces and face cards, which can shift the optimal hold decisions compared to Jacks or Better.
• Variance and volatility: With the right paytable, the game can present a different volatility profile than standard Jacks or Better. This affects how quickly your bankroll rises and falls.
• Strategy nuance: Although the core idea—hold strong hands and draw for improvements—remains, the precise “best hold” for some redraws changes with the paytable. The result is that practice with the exact paytable you’re playing matters more here than in some other variants.

Bottom line: Treat Aces and Faces as a variant that rewards careful study of the specific paytable and a disciplined approach to betting and holding. The more you align your decisions with the chart for that paytable, the higher your expected return will be over the long run.

Payouts, RTP, and Why Paytables Matter

Understanding payouts is essential for making informed decisions. The return to player (RTP) for Aces and Faces depends on the exact paytable and the bet level you choose. In most games of this type, the RTP with optimal strategy and at the maximum coin denomination tends to fall in a comfortable range—typically around the mid-to-high 90s percentage—with variance depending on the presence of big payouts for hands like four of a kind or full houses containing aces or faces. Because different casinos and online platforms publish slightly different paytables, the precise RTP can swing a few percentage points from one version to another.

Why is the paytable so consequential? Because it directly influences when a particular hold is the right call. A small shift in payout for a two-pair hand that includes a face card can flip the optimal decision in a given draw. That’s why a dedicated strategy chart for Aces and Faces is invaluable. With the chart, you can quickly decide whether to hold a pair, chase a straight, pursue a flush draw, or redraw the entire hand based on the observed payouts.

Tips for reading paytables:

• Always review the paytable before you start drawing. A quick scan helps you know which outcomes earn higher prizes.
• Note whether the top prize requires max coins. In many video poker games, the Royal Flush payout is significantly higher when you bet the maximum number of coins. If you can afford it, max betting is often worth it because it unlocks the full value of the top hands.
• Remember that not all hands are equally likely. Some hands that look strong on the surface may have limited probability given the paytable, while other draws may offer better odds of completion at a reasonable payout.

Optimal Strategy: Core Rules and Practical Scenarios

Strategy in Aces and Faces, like other video poker games, relies on selecting the hold that maximizes expected value (EV) on the draw. While memorizing a complete strategy chart is the best long-term approach, here are core rules and practical scenarios to give you a solid foundation:

• Hold any five-card winning hand you already have. If your initial deal is a real winner (for example, a pair of aces or a high pair that’s a paying hand), keep it and redraw the other cards.
• Always keep a pair of aces or face cards. If your starting hand contains a pair of Aces, Jacks, Queens, or Kings, it is generally wiser to keep the pair and redraw the remaining three cards to seek trips or stronger hands.
• Open-ended and gutshot straight draws: If your five cards form a sequence with room to complete a straight (for example, four cards to a straight with an external card that completes Broadway or another straight), holding the four-card straight draw is often correct. If you hold four to a straight and one junk card, consider discarding the junk card and keeping the four.
• Flush draws: If you have three cards to a flush with two of the same suit, you might hold the suited cards that contribute to a flush draw, particularly when the paytable offers meaningful flush payouts. If you have three cards to a flush but none are high-value cards, the decision depends on the exact suit count and the paytable.
• Three of a kind (trips) and higher: If you’re dealt three of a kind (especially including aces or face cards), hold the trips and redraw the other two cards for a full house or four of a kind.
• Two pair or better: If you have two pair (including at least one high card) or a full house, hold the entire hand and redraw zero or minimal cards to chase higher-tier hands as dictated by the chart for that paytable.

Examples to illustrate decisions (these are general guidelines and should be cross-checked with your specific paytable):

1. Deal: A♠ K♥ Q♦ J♣ 9♦. Keeping A-K-Q-J as a four-card Broadway draw can be optimal in many Aces and Faces paytables, discarding the 9♥ for a chance at a straight with a single card (the Ace completing Broadway). If your paytable heavily rewards Broadway-like outcomes, this hold is sensible.
2. Deal: 7♦ 7♣ 7♠ 2♠ 3♥. This is three-of-a-kind (trips) with a decent kicker. Hold all three sevens and redraw the 2 and 3 for a chance at a full house or four of a kind.
3. Deal: A♦ 2♣ 3♠ 4♥ 5♣. This is a near-straight draw (open-ended to a broadway with an Ace). Depending on paytable, you may keep A-2-3-4-5 and draw for a straight, or you may keep the straight draw subset (2-3-4-5) and discard the A. Your exact choice should follow the chart for your paytable.

How to internalize this: print or save a strategy chart for the Aces and Faces variant you’re playing, then practice with free or low-stakes games to reinforce the right holds. The more you rely on the chart rather than memory alone, the closer your results will be to the theoretical EV.

Bankroll Management and Variance

Smart bankroll management is as important as a good strategy. Video poker, including Aces and Faces, has both favorable odds and meaningful variance. Here are practical guidelines to keep your play sustainable:

• Set a budget for a session and stick to it. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to lose in that session and avoid chasing losses.
• Budget for max-bet sessions separately. If your paytable rewards max coins for top payouts (like Royal Flush or similar top prizes), you’ll want to reserve a portion of your bankroll specifically for those sessions. Only allocate this if you’re comfortable with the higher risk and the potential payoff.
• Keep track of wins and losses. Short-term variance can be abrupt. Tracking helps you make data-driven decisions about when to continue or walk away.
• Adjust bet sizing with caution. Some players prefer to start with mid-range bets to reduce volatility, then switch to max bets on favorable streaks or when chasing a top payout in a live or online casino.

Understanding volatility is also important. Aces and Faces can exhibit more or less volatility depending on how often the paytable rewards rarer hands, and how much the game pays for those hands. A practical rule is to align your bankroll with your goals: if your objective is long-term skill-based play, a larger bankroll with disciplined bets makes sense; if you’re playing for entertainment with a shorter horizon, smaller sessions can be sufficient while still being enjoyable.

Where to Play: Online vs Live Casinos

The choice between online and live casinos affects both the feel of the game and the practicalities of strategy and practice. Here are some considerations:

• Online versions often offer a wide range of paytables for Aces and Faces, plus free-to-play or low-stakes practice modes. This is excellent for learning and testing strategy without risking real money.
• Live casino tables bring the tactile experience and real-time interaction, but the paytables can vary from the digital versions. Always check the exact paytable posted on the live table or the live stream interface to know the optimal holds for that variant.
• RNG and fairness: Reputable online platforms use certified RNGs. If you’re curious about the odds, you can compare observed results over long runs with the expected results from your paytable, but remember that video poker is a game of long horizons, and short-term results can deviate substantially.

For SEO-minded readers, a practical approach is to play on platforms that clearly disclose paytables and provide resources like strategy charts, calculators, and practice modes. This transparency helps players learn and improves user satisfaction for the site hosting the guide or review.

Practice, Tools, and How to Sharpen Your Skills

Regardless of whether you’re playing for fun or real money, practice is essential. Use these tools and practices to sharpen your Aces and Faces strategy:

• Strategy charts: A trusted chart tailored to the exact paytable is your best long-term companion. Print it, save it as a reference, or keep a screenshot handy during practice sessions.
• Online calculators: There are calculators that let you input the five-card draw and the paytable, then output the optimal holds and EV for each possible draw. Use them to study example hands and understand why certain decisions are optimal.
• Free play modes: Many online casinos offer free versions of Aces and Faces. Use these to test your ability to apply the strategy without risking money.
• Play to learn, not just to win: The goal of practice is to internalize the decision logic so you can apply it instinctively in real-money games.

Remember to connect your practice with real-world behavior: budget discipline, max-bet knowledge, and a willingness to adapt to the paytable you’re facing. The more consistently you apply the correct holds, the better your results over time will be.

Common Mistakes and Myths to Avoid

Even seasoned players slip into bad habits if they rely on memory alone or misinterpret the paytable. Here are some frequent missteps and how to avoid them:

• Ignoring the paytable: The same “always hold the pair” rule may not apply if the paytable makes other draws more lucrative.
• Forgetting to bet max when top payouts require it: In many variants, maximum coins unlock the best payouts for hands like a top-tier straight or flush; missing this can dramatically reduce your expected return.
• Chasing losses with larger bets: Video poker is not a consistent “hit, then win” game. Use a structured bankroll approach and don’t chase losses with bigger bets unless you’re in a controlled, predefined plan.
• Overlooking practice: Relying on memory alone, instead of a strategy chart specific to the paytable, leads to suboptimal choices over time.

Takeaways: What to Do Next

Aces and Faces offers a rewarding variant for players who value both strategic play and the potential for strong payouts tied to aces and face cards. The key to success is understanding the exact paytable you’re playing, using an optimal strategy chart tailored to that paytable, and applying disciplined bankroll management. Practice with free modes and calculators to reinforce the right holds, then gradually introduce real-money play at a level that aligns with your budget and risk tolerance. Remember: in video poker, consistency beats raw luck, and a well-implemented strategy yields better long-term results than relying on intuition alone.

Glossary (quick reference)

• RTP: Return to player, the theoretical percentage of total money wagered that is paid back to players over time.
• EV: Expected value, the average outcome you can expect per hand if you play many hands at the same strategy and paytable.
• Paytable: The list of payouts for different hands in a given game variant.
• Max coins: The maximum number of coins you can bet on a hand, often required to unlock the highest payouts.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re a casual player exploring a new variant or a strategist aiming to optimize every draw, Aces and Faces rewards study and prudent decision-making. The combination of high-card potential and paytable-driven strategy makes it a compelling choice for players who enjoy the blend of luck and logic that video poker uniquely offers. With the guidance in this article, you’re equipped to approach Aces and Faces with a plan, practice the moves that matter, and attempt to maximize your returns while keeping the game enjoyable and sustainable.