How to Play Bonus Poker: Strategy & Odds Guide
Bonus Poker is a Jacks or Better variant with enhanced payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. Different quad ranks pay different amounts, with four Aces paying the most. This adds excitement while maintaining similar overall returns.
Table of Contents
- What Is Bonus Poker?
- Pay Tables
- Strategy Adjustments
- Odds and House Edge
- Variants
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Bonus Poker?
Bonus Poker plays like Jacks or Better but pays bonuses for different four-of-a-kind hands:
- Four Aces pays the most
- Four 2s, 3s, or 4s pays more than standard
- Four 5s through Kings pays slightly less than Jacks or Better
The game trades lower base payouts for exciting bonus opportunities.
Pay Tables
Full-Pay 8/5 Bonus Poker (99.17% Return)
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four Aces | 80 |
| Four 2s-4s | 40 |
| Four 5s-Ks | 25 |
| Full House | 8 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Common Variants
| Version | Full House | Flush | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/5 | 8 | 5 | 99.17% |
| 7/5 | 7 | 5 | 98.01% |
| 6/5 | 6 | 5 | 96.87% |
Strategy Adjustments
Bonus Poker strategy closely follows Jacks or Better with adjustments for the enhanced quad payouts.
Key Differences from Jacks or Better
Low pairs (2s, 3s, 4s) increase in value: The 40-coin quad payout makes these pairs more valuable than in Jacks or Better.
Aces are more valuable: Four Aces pays 80, making holding a single Ace more attractive in some situations.
Simplified Strategy Order
- Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind
- Four to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, straight
- Four to a straight flush
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- High pair (Jacks or better)
- Three to a royal flush
- Four to a flush
- Low pair (prioritize 2s, 3s, 4s)
- Four to an outside straight
- Two suited high cards
- Three to a straight flush
- Unsuited high cards
- One high card
- Discard everything
Odds and House Edge
8/5 Bonus Poker
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Return | 99.17% |
| House Edge | 0.83% |
| Four Aces Odds | 1 in 5,761 |
Comparison to Jacks or Better
| Game | Return | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| 9/6 Jacks or Better | 99.54% | Lower |
| 8/5 Bonus Poker | 99.17% | Higher |
Bonus Poker has higher variance due to the quad bonuses—bigger swings but more excitement.
Variants
Double Bonus Poker
Even higher quad payouts:
- Four Aces: 160
- Four 2s-4s: 80
- Four 5s-Ks: 50
Return: up to 100.17% on full-pay (very rare).
Double Double Bonus Poker
Quad payouts depend on the kicker (fifth card):
- Four Aces with 2, 3, or 4 kicker: 400
- Four 2s-4s with A, 2, 3, or 4 kicker: 160
Higher variance than standard Bonus Poker.
Triple Bonus Poker
Extreme quad payouts with reduced other payouts. Very high variance.