Bonus Poker is a popular video poker variant that offers players the familiar mechanics of Jacks or Better, but with enhanced payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands. Whether you’re playing at a land-based venue or exploring options at popular offshore casinos, understanding the nuances of Bonus Poker strategy can make a significant difference to your long-term results.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Bonus Poker strategy, including key rules, optimal play, payout structures, bankroll management, and practical tips to help you make the most of every session.
Understanding Bonus Poker: The Basics
Bonus Poker is a draw video poker game that closely resembles Jacks or Better, with a crucial twist: certain four-of-a-kind hands (quads) pay higher bonuses depending on the rank. This change affects the game’s volatility, strategy, and potential returns.
How Bonus Poker Works
In Bonus Poker, you receive five cards and can choose to hold or discard any number of them. After drawing replacements, you’re paid out based on the strength of your final hand. The game uses a standard 52-card deck and does not include wild cards.
The main distinction in Bonus Poker is the payout for four-of-a-kind hands. Typically, 4s through Aces pay more than 2s through 5s, with Aces often offering the biggest bonus. This impacts which cards you should hold in certain situations.
Typical Pay Table Structure
While pay tables can vary between casinos and software providers, a standard 8/5 Bonus Poker pay table (meaning 8x your bet for a full house and 5x for a flush) looks like this for a five-coin max bet:
- Royal Flush – 4,000 coins
- Straight Flush – 250 coins
- Four Aces – 800 coins
- Four 2s, 3s, or 4s – 400 coins
- Four 5s through Kings – 250 coins
- Full House – 40 coins
- Flush – 25 coins
- Straight – 20 coins
- Three of a Kind – 15 coins
- Two Pair – 10 coins
- Jacks or Better – 5 coins
Always check the specific pay table before you play, as even small changes can impact your expected return.
The Core of Bonus Poker Strategy
The key to Bonus Poker strategy is understanding how the increased payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands affect your decisions. Unlike Jacks or Better, where the main goal is to chase royal flushes and high pairs, Bonus Poker sometimes rewards breaking up strong hands to pursue quads, especially when holding Aces.
General Strategy Principles
- Always play the maximum number of coins (usually five) to qualify for the highest royal flush payout.
- Prioritise holding high pairs (Jacks or better) and breaking up low pairs only when chasing higher quad payouts makes sense.
- With two pairs, keep both pairs and draw one card for a full house or quad.
- Hold four cards to a royal flush over any made hand except a straight flush or four of a kind.
- For three of a kind, keep the set and discard the other two cards to chase quads.
Special Considerations for Bonus Poker
The bonus payouts for quads-especially Aces-change the value of certain hands. For example, If you’re dealt a pair of Aces and a pair of lower cards, you should keep only the Aces and discard the other pair, aiming for the quad Aces bonus.
Similarly, when you have three Aces, always discard the other two cards-even if they form a pair-to maximise your chance at four Aces.
Hand-by-Hand Strategy Breakdown
Let’s look at some common hands and the optimal plays for each in Bonus Poker.
High Pairs (Jacks or Better)
Always hold high pairs. Discard the other three cards and draw for three-of-a-kind, full house, or four-of-a-kind possibilities. High pairs are your bread and butter for steady returns.
Low Pairs (2s through 10s)
Hold the pair and discard the remaining three cards. However, if you have a low pair and a high card, keep just the pair. The only exception is when you have three to a royal flush, in which case, hold the three royal cards.
Two Pair
Hold both pairs and draw one card. The odds of hitting a full house or four of a kind make this the optimal play.
Three of a Kind
Hold the three of a kind and draw two new cards. This gives you a chance at quads or a full house.
Four to a Royal Flush
Always hold four to a royal flush, even over a made flush or straight. The potential payout justifies the risk.
Four to a Straight or Flush
Hold four to a flush or an open-ended straight, but prioritise flushes over straights due to higher payouts.
Three to a Royal Flush
Hold three cards to a royal flush if you don’t have a made hand worth more, like a full house or four of a kind.
Advanced Bonus Poker Strategy Tips
Beyond the basics, there are nuanced plays that can boost your edge.
Chasing the Bonus Quads
- When you have three Aces, always discard the other two cards, even if they’re a pair or suited.
- With three 2s, 3s, or 4s, do the same-chase the quad bonus.
- For three 5s through Kings, the bonus isn’t as high, but the approach remains: go for the four of a kind.
Breaking Up Two Pair
In Jacks or Better, you’d never break up two pair. In Bonus Poker, if one pair is Aces, it can sometimes be correct to break up two pair and keep just the Aces, especially if you’re also drawing for a royal flush.
Knowing When to Hold Low Cards
If you have no pairs, hold suited connectors or three to a royal flush over high cards alone. The potential for big hands outweighs the marginal value of a single high card.
Payout Tables and Return to Player (RTP)
The pay table you play on significantly affects your expected return. Full-pay Bonus Poker (8/5) offers an RTP of around 99.17% with optimal strategy. Shorter pay tables (like 7/5 or 6/5) drop the RTP, sometimes below 98%.
- Always choose the best available pay table for the highest RTP.
- Be wary of online and land-based machines offering lower payouts for full houses or flushes.
- Review the pay table before you start-sometimes the difference is subtle but meaningful.
Bankroll Management in Bonus Poker
Even with a strong strategy, variance in Bonus Poker can be high due to the bonus payouts for quads. Effective bankroll management is essential for longevity and enjoyment.
Practical Bankroll Tips
- Set a session budget and stick to it, regardless of wins or losses.
- Play at stakes that allow you to withstand swings-ideally, have at least 100 times your bet size in your bankroll.
- Don’t chase losses; variance is natural, and chasing can lead to poor decisions.
- Take breaks if you’re on a losing streak to avoid tilt.
Playing Bonus Poker Online
Online casinos offer a wide variety of Bonus Poker games, often with different pay tables and stakes. When selecting an online casino, look for reputable operators with clear licensing, robust security, and reliable customer support.
Key Considerations for Online Play
- Check for the highest available pay table before you deposit.
- Look for casinos with transparent terms, especially regarding bonuses and wagering requirements.
- Use demo or free-play modes to familiarise yourself with the game and strategy before risking real money.
- Ensure the casino is licensed by a recognised authority and uses secure encryption for transactions.
If you’re considering trying Bonus Poker at new sites, reviewing lists of popular offshore casinos can help you identify platforms with competitive pay tables and fair practices.
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