Double Bonus Video Poker

Double Bonus is a variation of Jacks or Better poker, but you get double the award for any four of a kind. Of course, this affects the overall payout and also the profits that can be made from other hands, which are reduced to make up for the bonus.

What is Double Bonus Video Poker?

... and how does it compare to Bonus and Double Double Bonus Poker?

In order to explain Double Bonus Video Poker, we will need to start with defining Bonus Poker, which is a Jack or Better Video Poker variant that pays bonus amounts for Four of a Kind hand.

The payout rate is determined according to the rank of the cards and not all combinations will have the same payout value. For example, Four of a Kind with all Aces will have a payout value of 80 to 1, 2s, 3s and 4s will pay 40 to 1, and all other Four of a Kind hands pay 25 to 1.

In Double Bonus, the payouts for Four of a Kind are increased by 2. On the other hand, to make up for the doubled payouts on one side, Double Bonus variant is decreasing payouts on Two Pair hand, reducing 2 to 1 payout rate to even money. This has also affected the volatility of the Double Bonus variant and resulted in a game that can easily go both ways – generating a massive winning or draining your budget in a relatively short time period.

Double Double Bonus Video Poker goes an extra mile and doubles the already doubled Four of a Kind Payout rates while keeping the even payouts for the Two Pair hands.

Double Bonus Poker: pro tips and tricks

Some of the strategic rules that one has adopted over time, especially by playing Jacks or Better, might not be applicable when playing Double Bonus Poker.

For instance, let's say that the player holds a Full House, which in some other Video Poker variants is not the kind of hand you would want to split. In Double Bonus however, keeping the Aces and getting rid of the extra pair is what most of the experienced Video Poker players would do, due to the high payout rate that one might win if the fourth Ace is drawn.

Another common mistake that a lot of beginners make in Double Bonus is keeping a low pair on a Straight and a Low Pair hand. For the sake of illustration, let us assume that the player has a hand consisting out of a pair of 8s, a Jack, a 9 and a 10. In this case, the player should hold onto four consecutive cards – 8, 9, 10 and Jack – which can result in a Straight Flush and pay 50 to 1 as oppose to the 25 to 1 payout odd for a lower pair.

Where to play Double Bonus Video Poker?

Boyd, Plaza and The D are only some of the venues offering Double Bonus Video Poker machines, which, thanks to their high volatility, are much easier to find than Jacks or Better.

The interesting thing about this game is that it was not very popular for ages in Vegas, but you now see it more and more. This is probably because you now get a choice of game, so they can offer this one as an extra choice, without taking away a classic Deuces Wild or regular Jacks or Better game from the casino floor.

Double Bonus Poker Casinos

When you play for real money in a casino, you probably want to study the tactics in a bit of details, because it requires a specific strategy that is different from the regular games of video poker, like Jacks or Better.

For this reason, a lot of players would stick to games they know and love (and know how to play optimally) like Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild.

Double Bonus Poker Volatility

Because you get a much higher payout for 4-of-a-kind, the wins are reduced for lower hands. This makes the game far more volatile and you could go for long periods without winning much money, then suddenly hit a couple of 4 of a kind hands and find yourself up big time.

So, the Double bonus game is generally better for pros than for amateurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Double Bonus Video Poker?

Full-pay Double Bonus Video Poker has an RTP of approximately 100.17% with optimal strategy, making it one of the few casino games that can theoretically return more than the player puts in over the long run. However, the game's high volatility means results can swing dramatically session to session, so bankroll management is essential.

Can I play Double Bonus Video Poker for real money slots?

Yes, Double Bonus Video Poker is available for real money play at many land-based casinos including Boyd, Plaza, and The D in Las Vegas, as well as at a range of online casinos. Due to its higher volatility compared to standard Jacks or Better, it is best suited to players who are comfortable with bigger swings in their results.

How does Double Bonus differ from standard Jacks or Better?

Double Bonus Video Poker is based on Jacks or Better but doubles the payouts for all Four of a Kind hands. To offset this, the payout for Two Pair is reduced from 2 to 1 down to even money. This trade-off makes the game significantly more volatile, with bigger highs and longer dry spells compared to the more consistent Jacks or Better.

What is the difference between Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus Poker?

Double Double Bonus Poker takes the Double Bonus format one step further by doubling the already-elevated Four of a Kind payouts once more, while retaining even-money Two Pair payouts. This creates even greater volatility and the potential for larger single-hand wins, but requires an even more disciplined strategy to play profitably.

What are the key strategy differences in Double Bonus Poker?

Standard Jacks or Better strategy does not directly translate to Double Bonus. For example, it can be correct to break up a Full House by keeping only the Aces, chasing the fourth Ace for a boosted Four of a Kind payout. Similarly, holding four consecutive cards to a Straight Flush can be preferable to keeping a low pair, due to the enhanced Four of a Kind returns.

Is Double Bonus Video Poker suited to beginners?

Double Bonus Video Poker is generally better suited to experienced players than beginners. Its high volatility means you can go through extended losing runs before a big Four of a Kind win. Players who are still learning video poker strategy are usually better starting with the more forgiving Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild before moving on to Double Bonus.