The present invention includes an apparatus and method for operating a gaming device that enables or activates one or more poker hands upon the receipt or wager of a single credit from the player. 3 The gaming device of the present invention maintains and displays a plurality of poker hands and an input device that enables a player to bet one or more credits. When the player wagers a credit, the processor of the gaming device activates a number of the poker hands, the number pre-selected or player selected to be one or more and preferably each of the poker hands maintained by the gaming device.