Learning to Master Double Bonus Video Poker
When wanting to play double bonus video poker you will want to look at the payout chart. This is seen easily in the game itself.
Some game show it at the top of the game interface, while in a few you will need to go to the help or information page inside the game.
Included is a screenshot from Cryptoslots casino
The perfect Double Bonus video poker Payoff Table:
What is the return
This payoff table returns 100.17% with computer-perfect play. “Full-pay” Double Bonus games with payouts like this are not the norm. On most Double Bonus machines you will encounter the payouts for Full House and Flush have been cut to 45 and 30 respectively, which reduces the overall return percentage to 97.8. A difference of nearly 2 1/2%!
In this example the full house is in fact 50, but the flush is reduced to 30. Most Microgaming versions will have the flush as 35 and the straight as 25.
Somewhat volatile
Double Bonus video poker is an enticing, but very volatile game because much of the payback is concentrated in the four-of-a-kind mini jackpots. Also, two pair hands only return your bet, instead of paying 10 coins as in Jacks or Better. The reduced payout for two pair is compensated for by the bonuses on the four-of-a-kinds, but the short-term results can be devastating if the four-of-a-kinds don’t appear as often as they should, statistically.
Learning perfect playing strategy for Double Bonus video poker is a demanding but worthwhile task. The high payout for four-of-a-kind hands makes this a very attractive and challenging game.
Strategy for Double Bonus video poker
Double Bonus strategy says keep dealt two pair hands, even if it’s two Aces and two low cards. Do not hold only the two Aces, the 50-for-5 payoff makes going for a Full House the better play. But if you’re dealt a Full House consisting of three Aces and any other pair, what do you hold?
Once in about 23 1/2 draws you will be dealt a fourth Ace, for an 800-coin payoff, but you are giving up 22 1/2 times 35 coins = 7871/2 coins. Double bonus video poker strategy rules say hold the three Aces only, because in the long run you’re better off by about 13 coins.
But what if you’ve already lost half of your starting money, do you forego collecting a sure 50-coin win and go for the 800-coin four Aces payoff? My suggestion: If you’re a short-term recreational player, hold the Full House, if you’re playing for long-term results, then go for the four Aces.
Always break up a dealt flush or straight if you’re only one or two cards away from a Royal. But don’t break up a dealt Straight Flush, even if it consists of 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.