Bonus Video Poker Strategy
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This article shows our strategy for Bonus Poker. The expected return of Bonus Poker is 99.17%. This version of video poker is very popular so this strategy is very handy to learn.
BONUS POKER STRATEGY. Bonus Poker differs from Jacks or Better. This game pays a bonus for some of the four of a kind hands. Four 5s through Kings are paid 25 for one just as they are in Jacks or Better. However four 2s, 3s, or 4s are paid at a rate of 40 for one. Four aces are paid at the still higher rate of 80 for one. Video poker is often the game of choice for serious casino-goers who want to use their wits and strategy to get the most out of each trip. Each machine has its own set of quirks, and knowing the ins and outs of a particular game can get the house advantage down to a fraction of one percent. Almost all video poker strategy charts start with a royal flush as the top listed hand. That makes sense. After all, you would never throw away the top paying hand in the game. That would just be silly. In most games, 4 of a kind and a straight flush will also be at the top of the list—those are usually the top 3 hands with the best payouts.
Introduction
The first versions of Video Poker came about at the same time as personal computers in the 1970s. These were very basic however and offered only a couple of versions, nothing like what is available now. Video Poker has grown since then to become one of the most played games in casinos as it offers players the chance of solitude as well as some nice wins, especially if the holy grail of poker hands the Royal flush comes in.
Bonus Poker Rules
Bonus Poker is a version of Video Poker that is very similar to Jacks or Better.
In fact, the only difference is that in Bonus Poker you get better payouts for Four of a Kind.
So, to start you need to choose your stake, then you are dealt 5 cards from a standard 52 card deck. At this point, you can hold or discard each card. Any you discard are then replaced by other cards from the same deck. You are then paid out based on the strength of your hand. You aren’t playing against a dealer or other players, so if your hand is a Pair of Jacks or better, you get paid. It’s that simple!
You still get a payout for a pair of Jacks or better as the screenshot below demonstrates.
As you will see above, Four of a Kind Aces pays out significantly more than a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind 2’s, 3’s or 4’s pay slightly more than a Straight Flush whilst any other Four of a Kind – 5’s through to Kings – pay the same as a Straight Flush. As with most versions of Video Poker, playing with 5 coins increases the jackpot for a Royal Flush significantly.
Paytable and Odds
The table below outlines the payout for each hand, the number of possibilities for each hand and the probability of each coming in.
| Hand | Payout (with 5 coins) | Combinations | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 | 495443136 | 0.000025 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 2129604264 | 0.000107 |
| 4 of a Kind Aces | 800 | 3903775812 | 0.000196 |
| 4 of a Kind 2’s to 4’s | 400 | 10509866328 | 0.000527 |
| 4 of a Kind 5’s to K’s | 250 | 32688417336 | 0.001640 |
| Full House | 45 | 229516869924 | 0.011514 |
| Flush | 35 | 216873645000 | 0.010880 |
| Straight | 25 | 223676319912 | 0.011221 |
| 3 of a Kind | 15 | 1484391167856 | 0.074468 |
| 2 Pair | 5 | 2577523603752 | 0.129308 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 | 4290810981444 | 0.215259 |
| Nothing | 0 | 10860710822436 | 0.544855 |
| Total | 19933230517200 | 1.000000 |
Bonus Poker Strategy
The strategy shown below gives you the best chance of getting a payout with Bonus Poker. As there are many variations of Video Poker and each has a slightly different strategy, make sure it is Bonus Poker you are playing before referring to it.
Start at the top of the table, working your way down until you find a hand that is relevant for the initial 5 cards you are dealt with. When you come across your hand, follow the instructions for the best chance to win.
Bonus Poker has an expected return of around 99.17% which makes it not a bad game to play from a payout perspective.
Best to Worst Hands
| Order | Hand |
|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush |
| 2 | Straight Flush |
| 3 | Four of a Kind |
| 4 | 4 of a Royal Flush |
| 5 | Full House |
| 6 | Flush |
| 7 | Three of a Kind |
| 8 | Straight |
| 9 | 4 of a Straight Flush |
| 10 | Two Pair |
| 11 | High Pair |
| 12 | 3 of a Royal Flush |
| 13 | 4 of a Flush |
| 14 | Unsuited 10, J, Q, K |
| 15 | Low Pair |
| 16 | 4 of an Outside Straight |
| 17 | 3 of a Straight Flush |
| 18 | Suited J, Q |
| 19 | 4 of an Inside Straight |
| 20 | Suited J, Q or J, K |
| 21 | Suited A,K A,Q or A,J |
| 22 | Unsuited J,Q,K |
| 23 | Unsuited J,Q |
| 24 | Suited 10,J |
| 25 | 2 Unsuited High Cards, K High |
| 26 | Suited 10, Q |
| 27 | 2 Unsuited High Card, A High |
| 28 | J only |
| 29 | Suited 10,K |
| 30 | Q only |
| 31 | K only |
| 32 | A only |
| 33 | Garbage, discard everything |
Outside Straight is a hand that needs a card at either end – e.g. 5, 6, 7, 8 – either a 4 or 9 would complete the Straight.
Bonus Deluxe Video Poker Strategy
Inside Straight is a hand that needs a card in the middle – e.g. 3, 4, 6, 7 – only a 5 would complete the Straight.
This is meant as a guide only but if followed correctly it will give you the best chance of winning the session.
Bonus Poker Games
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