Video poker has several variants that appear at both land-based casinos and online casinos, and Bonus Poker is one of those many variants. Bonus Poker offers an exciting twist on the classic Jacks or Better game, giving players enhanced payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands.
Those enhanced payouts making Bonus Poker particularly appealing to those who enjoy chasing these powerful combinations. This guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to confidently approach a Bonus Poker game, whether you are playing at a physical casino or one of the best U.S. online casinos, such as OnlineCasinoGames.com, Red Stag Casino, or Super Slots Casino.
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Our guides cover the rules, strategy, and other valuable information for the most popular online casino games, as well as online casino bonuses, popular terms and concepts such as RTP and RNGs, similarities and differences between traditional physical casinos and online casinos, and other important information about gambling online at desktop sites or mobile casinos.
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Our goal is to be a vital resource for players who love online slots or enjoy playing blackjack games like Perfect Pair Blackjack, roulette, video poker and its variants (including Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild), casino poker games (including Caribbean Stud Poker and Pai Gow Poker), and more.
What is Bonus Poker?
Bonus Poker is a video poker variant derived from the original Jacks or Better game.
Created in the 1980s as casinos looked to diversify their video poker offerings, Bonus Poker quickly gained popularity due to its unique pay structure.
The game uses a standard 52-card deck and follows the same basic gameplay as other video poker games: you place your bet, receive five cards, decide which ones to keep, draw replacements for discarded cards, and get paid according to the strength of your final hand.
What makes Bonus Poker distinct? It has a modified paytable that offers higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands compared to standard Jacks or Better. While Jacks or Better typically pays the same amount for any four-of-a-kind, Bonus Poker creates a tiered system where four aces pay the most, followed by four 2s, 3s, or 4s, then four 5s through kings.
This modification creates exciting opportunities for larger wins without significantly changing the basic gameplay that video poker enthusiasts love.
The name “Bonus Poker” directly reflects this bonus payout structure for four-of-a-kind hands. Most Bonus Poker machines maintain a theoretical return to player (RTP) of around 99% when played with optimal strategy, making it not only entertaining but also one of the better-value casino games available.
How Bonus Poker Differs from Other Video Poker Variants
Bonus Poker might seem similar to other video poker games at first glance, but understanding its unique characteristics will help you appreciate what makes this variant special.
How is it similar to and different from other well-known video poker variants?
Bonus Poker vs Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is considered the foundation of video poker, with a straightforward paytable where pairs of jacks or better qualify for payouts.
The key difference in Bonus Poker is the enhanced payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, which come at the expense of slightly reduced payouts for full houses and flushes in most implementations.
While Jacks or Better pays nine times your bet for a full house and six times your bet for a flush in a full-pay version, Bonus Poker typically offers eight times your bet for a full house and five times your bet for a flush.
Bonus Poker vs Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild introduces wild cards (all four 2s) that can substitute for any card to complete winning combinations. This fundamentally changes the game’s strategy and hand rankings.
Bonus Poker does not use wild cards, maintaining the standard poker hand hierarchy and focusing instead on rewarding natural four-of-a-kind hands.
Bonus Poker vs Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker takes the concept of Bonus Poker even further by offering even higher payouts for four aces (typically 160x your bet versus 80x in regular Bonus Poker).
However, these increased bonuses come with more significant reductions to other hand payouts, particularly two pairs which often only pay even money (1:1) instead of 2:1 in Bonus Poker.
Bonus Poker vs Double Double Bonus Poker
Double Double Bonus Poker expands further on the Bonus Poker concept by adding extra bonuses for specific four-of-a-kind hands with certain kickers.
While more volatile than regular Bonus Poker, it can offer even larger potential payouts for specific combinations.
Hand Rankings in Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker follows the standard poker hand rankings, ranking from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit
- Straight Flush: Five sequential cards of the same suit (excluding royal flush)
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit (not in sequence)
- Straight: Five sequential cards of mixed suits
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank
- Two Pair: Two different pairs
- Jacks or Better: A pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces
Any hand below a pair of jacks results in no payout. Understanding these rankings is crucial. They determine the relative value of the hands you are trying to build or hold during gameplay.
Bonus Poker Paytable
The paytable is what defines Bonus Poker and distinguishes it from other video poker variants.
Below is a typical full-pay (8/5) Bonus Poker paytable, showing payouts per coin bet:
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four Aces | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 | 200 |
| Four 5s through Kings | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Note the key features of this paytable:
- The royal flush pays 800x your bet when playing maximum coins (hence the importance of always betting 5 coins)
- Four aces pay 80x your bet, significantly higher than other four-of-a-kinds
- Four 2s, 3s, or 4s pay 40x your bet
- Four 5s through Kings pay 25x your bet
- Full House pays 8x and Flush pays 5x (giving this variant its “8/5” designation)
Always check the paytable on the game that you’re playing. If you are playing at a physical casino, you may see different variations and different machines with slightly different payouts. And if you are playing online, online casinos can offer multiple types of Bonus Poker games from different online casino game providers.
Play Bonus Poker at Real Money Online Casinos
Many of the best real money online casinos feature Bonus Poker games, including these sites:
If you would like to learn more about any of these sites, we have in-depth reviews of these sites and many other real money online casinos and crypto casinos. We also have reviews of the best online sportsbooks and the best online poker sites.
Basic Gameplay: How to Play Bonus Poker
Playing Bonus Poker is straightforward and follows these simple steps:
- Insert Money: Begin by inserting cash or a ticket into the machine, or funding your account if playing online.
- Select Your Bet: Choose how many coins to bet per hand. Most experts recommend always betting the maximum 5 coins (responsibly, within reason, and well within budget) to take advantage of the enhanced royal flush payout.
- Deal: Press the “Deal” button to receive your initial five-card hand.
- Choose Which Cards to Hold: Evaluate your hand and decide which cards to keep (hold) and which to discard. Press the “Hold” button beneath each card (or click on the card, depending on the layout of the game that you are playing) you want to keep.
- Draw: Press the “Draw” button to discard the unheld cards and receive new cards in their place.
- Evaluation: The machine automatically evaluates your final hand and pays out according to the paytable if you have formed a winning combination.
- Continue or Cash Out: Decide whether to play another hand with the same bet, adjust your bet, or cash out your winnings.
The entire process takes only moments once you have become familiar with the game. This simplicity and speed make Bonus Poker and other video poker variants a fast-paced and engaging casino option.
Strategy Tips for Bonus Poker
While luck plays a role in any casino game, developing a solid strategy can significantly improve your chances in Bonus Poker, even though it is an RNG-based game and each hand is therefore independent.
Here are essential strategy tips to enhance your Bonus Poker gameplay:
Always Bet Maximum Coins
Always bet 5 coins per hand, provided that doing so fits into your bankroll, budget, and comfort level with betting maximum coins.
While royal flushes are extremely rare, the payout for a royal flush in Bonus Poker jumps dramatically from 250:1 to 800:1 when playing maximum coins. Playing fewer coins gives the house a bigger edge.
Prioritize Four-of-a-Kind Potential
Since four-of-a-kind hands receive bonus payouts in this variant, you should be slightly more aggressive in pursuing these combinations compared to standard Jacks or Better strategy.
For example, you might break up a low pair if you have three cards to a royal flush.
Learn These Key Hold Decisions
Hold royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, three of a kind, and high pairs (jacks through aces) as dealt.
With no paying hand, prioritize holding:
- Four cards to a royal flush
- Three cards to a royal flush
- Four cards to a straight flush
- High pair
- Four cards to a flush
- Low pair
- Three cards to a straight flush
- Four cards to a straight
- Two suited high cards
- Two unsuited high cards
Understand When to Break a Pair
Sometimes it is correct to break a low pair (like two 10s) if you have four cards to a flush or straight. However, never break a paying pair (jacks or better) for a straight or flush draw.
Be Conservative with Kickers
Unlike some other bonus variants, regular Bonus Poker does not pay extra for certain kickers with four-of-a-kinds. So, do not hold unnecessary cards hoping for kicker bonuses.
Study a Strategy Chart
For optimal play, consider studying a detailed Bonus Poker strategy chart that outlines exactly which cards to hold in every possible situation. Strategy charts can be found online or in video poker strategy books.
Bankroll Management for Bonus Poker
Proper bankroll management is crucial for an enjoyable video poker experience:
- Set a Budget: Decide beforehand how much money you are willing to spend. Stick to that budgeted amount.
- Choose the Right Denomination: Select a machine with a denomination that allows your bankroll to last. For a two-hour session, aim to have at least 150-200 times the maximum bet as your starting bankroll. For example, if the maximum bet is $5, you should have at least $750-$1000 to start with.
- Recognize Variance: Even with perfect play, you will have winning and losing sessions. Understand that short-term results can vary widely from the theoretical return.
- Celebrate and Walk Away: Set win goals as well as loss limits. When you hit either, consider ending your session.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Bonus Poker
Even experienced players sometimes make these common mistakes:
- Not betting maximum coins: Always bet 5 coins to get the full royal flush payout, provided doing so fits your situation.
- Playing too fast: Take your time to analyze each hand properly.
- Holding the wrong cards: For example, keeping a low pair when you have four cards to a flush.
- Ignoring the paytable: Different machines and games have different payouts. Always check before playing.
- Playing when tired or intoxicated: Video poker requires focus and clear decision-making.
Conclusion
Bonus Poker offers an exciting middle ground in the world of video poker. It maintains the familiar gameplay of Jacks or Better while adding the thrill of bonus payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. This makes it particularly appealing to players who enjoy a balance between consistent small wins and the occasional larger payout.
With its relatively high RTP when played optimally, Bonus Poker represents one of the better value options you will find online or at a brick-and-mortar establishment.
Remember that success at Bonus Poker comes from a combination of understanding the paytable, applying proper strategy, and managing your bankroll wisely. Even so, you won’t win every session, but implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide will maximize your chances of success and ensure you have an enjoyable gaming experience.
Whether you play at a land-based casino during your next vacation or try your hand at an online casino from the comfort of your home, Bonus Poker provides an accessible yet strategic gambling option that rewards thoughtful play. And now that you are armed with this knowledge from this guide, you are ready to confidently take on a Bonus Poker game and put your skills to the test.
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