Double Bonus Poker

Developers of video poker games have found that many players are willing to settle for smaller payouts on the more frequent hands, like two pair, the flush or full house, in exchange for larger "bonus" payouts on less frequently occurring hands (usually the four of a kind or some variation on it).  The effect is to increase the variance of the game by moving payouts from the more frequently occurring hands to the less frequently occurring ones.  Typically, the payout for two pair is reduced from 2 to 1 (vs. Jacks or Better) and most of the difference is moved to various four of a kind payouts.

Double Bonus Poker (DB) is a variation on video poker in which the payout for two pair is reduced from two to one in exchange for greatly increased payouts for other hands.  The 10/7/5 version of this game actually returns 100.1725%, making it one of the few games that average more than 100% payback.  In this version of the game, payouts for all fours of a kind, full house, flush, and straight are increased; but as a result, the statistical variance is around 28 -- a sizable jump from JB and Bonus Poker.  If you can find 10/7/5 DB, it is an excellent game, assuming your bankroll can tolerate the increased swings this game generates due to its higher variance.

Following are the computed returns for some common varieties of Double Bonus Poker (assumes max-credits played).  The 10/7/5 variation is becoming more difficult to find in many locations; however, the 9/7/5 variation continues to be commonly available.

Note the markedly decreased payout for two pair versus JB due to reducing the payout for two pair to only 1 credit per bet.  Of course, this return (plus a little, in the 10/7/5 version above) has been "moved" to the higher paying returns for straights, flushes, full houses, and various fours of a kind.

Lesser paying varieties of this game are around.  In general, DB games other than 10/7/5 or 9/7/5 should be avoided.  Many players prefer the increased sense of "action" generated by this game.  Its variance can generate much greater positive (and negative) swings than JB or Bonus games.  This is due essentially to taking half of the frequently-occurring two pair payout and "moving" it to other, less frequently occurring hands.  Games paying 95%, 96%, and 97% are simply cash cows for the casino and should not be played under any circumstances.

Strategy Tip:  Players who enjoy the added "action" of the DB or DDB game but cannot find either of the playable versions (10/7/5 or 9/7/5) might compromise on a Bonus Poker game.  Bonus Poker has somewhat increased payouts (over JB) for Fours of a Kind without giving up the staying power generated by two pair (two pair is responsible for 25% of the payout in JB and Bonus Poker games).  8/5 Bonus games return 99.1660%; but even 7/5 Bonus (at 98.0147%) is better than the lesser versions of Double Bonus.  If you do choose Bonus Poker, be sure it pays two units for two pair -- see our Bonus Poker page for details.