Aces and Faces Poker Calculator: Premium Quad Strategy (2026)
Aces and Faces Poker Calculator: Both Premium Quads Pay
Aces and Faces Poker enhances payouts for four-of-a-kind aces AND face cards (jacks, queens, kings). While Bonus Poker focuses on aces, this variant rewards all premium quads equally. Our calculator shows optimal strategy and how to value face pair hands.
What Is Aces and Faces Poker?
Aces and Faces Poker is a video poker variant that pays enhanced bonuses for four-of-a-kind hands containing aces or face cards (J, Q, K). Unlike Bonus Poker which emphasizes aces, this game treats all premium cards equally—making face pair strategy more important.
Quick Answer: Aces and Faces = enhanced quads for aces AND face cards. Four aces: 80:1. Four faces (J/Q/K): 40:1. Four 2-10: 25:1. Full pay: 99.26% return. Hold face pairs same priority as aces. More balanced than Bonus Poker. Moderate variance.
How to Use Our Calculator
Use the Aces and Faces Calculator →
Calculate optimal holds with face card considerations.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Your Hand: Five cards dealt
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Identify Premium Cards: A, K, Q, J
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View Optimal Hold: Best cards to keep
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Check Quad Potential: Premium quad odds
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Calculate EV: Expected return
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Your Hand | Five cards | J♠ J♦ 9♣ 6♥ 2♠ |
| Premium Pairs | A, K, Q, J | Yes (Jacks) |
| Optimal Hold | Best keep | JJ |
| Quad Potential | Four-of-kind | 0.43% |
| Enhanced Value | Bonus EV | +0.03 |
| Return Rate | Machine RTP | 99.26% |
Pay Table Structure
Full Pay Aces and Faces
Hand | Coins (5-coin max)
------------------|-------------------
Natural Royal | 4000 (800:1)
Straight Flush | 250 (50:1)
Four Aces | 400 (80:1)
Four Faces (J/Q/K)| 200 (40:1)
Four 2s-10s | 125 (25:1)
Full House | 40 (8:1)
Flush | 25 (5:1)
Straight | 20 (4:1)
Three of a Kind | 15 (3:1)
Two Pair | 10 (2:1)
Jacks or Better | 5 (1:1)
Return: 99.26%
vs Bonus Poker
Comparison:
Bonus Poker:
4 Aces: 80:1
4 2-4: 40:1
4 5-K: 25:1
Aces and Faces:
4 Aces: 80:1
4 Faces: 40:1
4 2-10: 25:1
Key difference:
Faces (J/Q/K) enhanced here
2-4 NOT enhanced
Different strategy
Why Faces Matter
Strategic impact:
Bonus Poker:
Hold aces > anything
Low pairs get bonus too
Aces and Faces:
Aces = premium
J/Q/K = ALSO premium
2-10 = standard
Face pairs more valuable
Changes hold decisions
Strategy Adjustments
Face Pair Priority
Hold priority in Aces and Faces:
1. Aces (80:1 quad potential)
2. Kings (40:1 quad potential)
3. Queens (40:1 quad potential)
4. Jacks (40:1 quad potential)
5. Other pairs (25:1 quad)
All face pairs equal
All enhanced vs standard
Key Strategy Changes
vs Jacks or Better:
Face pairs more valuable
May hold over flush draws
May hold over straight draws
Example:
J♠ J♦ + 4-card flush
JoB: Sometimes hold flush draw
A&F: More often hold jacks
Because 40:1 quad potential
vs 25:1 in standard game
Non-Premium Pairs
2-10 pair strategy:
Standard 25:1 quad value
No enhancement in A&F
Hold normally
vs flush/straight draws:
Still valuable for trips
But no bonus edge
Same as JoB for these
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Face Pair vs Flush Draw
Premium pair decision:
Hand: Q♠ Q♦ 9♠ 6♠ 2♠
Option 1: Hold QQ
Enhanced quad potential (40:1)
Option 2: Hold 4-flush
Standard flush value
Aces and Faces:
Hold QQ (enhanced value)
Jacks or Better:
Closer decision
Might take flush draw
Example 2: Multiple Premium Cards
Choosing between premiums:
Hand: A♠ K♦ K♣ 7♥ 3♠
Two pair? No—A not paired
Option 1: Hold AA (wait, only one A)
Can't—only one ace
Option 2: Hold KK
40:1 quad potential
Decision: HOLD KK
Standard premium pair hold
Example 3: Face Pair vs Straight
Straight draw temptation:
Hand: J♠ J♦ 10♣ 9♥ 8♠
Option 1: Hold JJ
40:1 quad potential
Option 2: Hold outside straight draw
5 cards to straight
Aces and Faces:
Hold JJ
Face pair value:
Enhanced quad potential
Outweighs straight draw EV
Example 4: Non-Premium Pair
Standard pair hold:
Hand: 7♠ 7♦ K♣ Q♥ 3♠
Option 1: Hold 77
Standard 25:1 quad
Option 2: Hold KQ
Two high cards
Decision: HOLD 77
Pairs still beat high cards
Even without enhancement
Standard strategy applies
Hand Comparison
Premium Quads Breakdown
Quad frequencies and payouts:
Four Aces:
Probability: ~0.024%
Payout: 400 coins (80:1)
EV contribution: High
Four Kings/Queens/Jacks:
Probability: ~0.024% each
Payout: 200 coins (40:1)
EV contribution: Medium
Four 2-10:
Probability: ~0.024% each
Payout: 125 coins (25:1)
EV contribution: Standard
Overall Hand Distribution
Hand frequencies:
Royal Flush: 0.0025%
Straight Flush: 0.011%
Four of a Kind: 0.24%
Full House: 1.15%
Flush: 1.10%
Straight: 1.12%
Three of a Kind: 7.45%
Two Pair: 12.93%
Jacks or Better: 21.46%
No win: 54.54%
Variance Analysis
Moderate Volatility
Variance comparison:
Jacks or Better: Low
Aces and Faces: Low-Medium
Bonus Poker: Medium
Double Double Bonus: High
A&F is balanced:
Enhanced quads add some variance
But spread across multiple ranks
Not concentrated on aces
Bankroll Requirements
Session recommendations:
Aces and Faces:
25-40× max bet
$1 machines:
$125-200 session roll
More than JoB
Less than Bonus Poker
Balanced approach
Finding Good Pay Tables
What to Look For
Full pay indicators:
Check full house: 8:1 (40 coins)
Check flush: 5:1 (25 coins)
Check straight flush: 50:1
8/5 = full pay (99.26%)
7/5 = short pay (~98.1%)
Avoid Short Pay
Red flags:
Full house < 8:1
Flush < 5:1
Straight flush < 50:1
Each reduction costs:
~1% or more return
Seek full pay
Common Mistakes
1. Ignoring Face Card Value
Mistake: Treating J/Q/K like low cards Problem: Missing 40:1 enhancement Fix: Prioritize face pairs
2. Chasing Flushes Too Often
Mistake: Flush draw over face pair Problem: Face quads worth more Fix: Calculate full EV
3. Confusing with Bonus Poker
Mistake: Valuing 2-3-4 pairs high Problem: Not enhanced in A&F Fix: Know which quads pay bonus
4. Wrong Pay Tables
Mistake: Playing 7/5 or worse Problem: ~1% extra house edge Fix: Find 8/5 machines
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Aces and Faces different from Bonus Poker?
Bonus Poker enhances aces and 2-3-4 quads. Aces and Faces enhances aces and face cards (J/Q/K). Different quad bonuses mean different hold strategies.
Which face card should I prioritize?
All faces (J/Q/K) pay the same 40:1 for quads. No priority difference between them—hold whichever you're dealt.
Is Aces and Faces better than Jacks or Better?
Slightly lower return (99.26% vs 99.54% for 9/6 JoB) but more exciting with enhanced quads. Choose based on preference.
Should I break up two pair for a face pair?
Generally no—two pair pays immediately. Only break in rare situations where face quad potential exceeds two pair value.
How often do face quads hit?
Each specific quad (like four jacks) hits about 1 in 4,200 hands. Any of the three face quads: about 1 in 1,400 hands.
What's the house edge on full pay?
0.74% (99.26% return). Slightly higher than JoB but still excellent for casino games.
Pro Tips
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Face pairs = premium: 40:1 quad potential
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All faces equal: J = Q = K in value
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8/5 is full pay: Seek it out
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Moderate variance: Balanced gameplay
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Not like Bonus Poker: Different enhanced ranks
Related Calculators
- Bonus Poker Calculator - Ace/low card bonus
- Double Bonus Calculator - Higher variance
- Jacks or Better Calculator - Standard game
- Video Poker Odds Calculator - General
- Expected Value Calculator - Bet analysis
Conclusion
Aces and Faces Poker rewards both ace quads (80:1) and face card quads (40:1), creating balanced premium hand potential. Our calculator shows how face pairs become more valuable than in standard games and why holding those jacks over a flush draw might be the optimal play.
Calculate Aces and Faces Odds Now →
Your pair of queens isn't just a jacks-or-better payout—it's a shot at 40:1 quad value. Our calculator reveals why face cards deserve premium treatment in Aces and Faces Poker.
