Double Bonus Strategy
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- The strategy for Jacks or Better is also slightly easier to learn than the correct strategy for Double Bonus. The first pay table listed is common and is often the best one available. With a house edge of less than 1%, it offers a fair game.
- Dec 30, 2019 Strategy Tips While Double Double Bonus resembles Jacks or Better, the strategy you should apply when playing it is a bit more complicated. The best piece of advice would be to keep all hands consisting of four As, 2s, 3s, or 4s with a kicker.
- Appendices
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- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
- Quick Quads
- Ultimate X
- Miscellaneous
Double Bonus Strategy Card Strategy Card. Free shipping on this item! SKU: 1401 Categories: Slots/Video Poker, Strategy Cards, View All. Double Bonus Strategy The best way to learn our Double Bonus strategy is to use it as you play. We recommend practicing Double Bonus at Bovada Casino. Bovada offers Double Bonus for both practice and real money play.
On This Page
Introduction
This page shows my strategy for 10/6 Double Double Bonus Poker. With optimal strategy, the expected return of 10/6 Double Double Bonus is 100.07%. 10/6 Double Double Bonus is hard to find, but does exist at some Vegas casinos. This strategy will also work fine for 9/6 Double Double Bonus (with a return of 98.98%). The following table shows the probability and return for each hand.'10/6' Double Double Bonus — 100.07%
| Hand | Payoff | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal flush | 800 | 488778744 | 0.000025 | 0.019617 |
| Straight flush | 50 | 2184595380 | 0.000110 | 0.005480 |
| 4 aces + 2-4 | 400 | 1227703884 | 0.000062 | 0.024636 |
| 4 2-4 + A-4 | 160 | 2854373148 | 0.000143 | 0.022911 |
| 4 aces + 5-K | 160 | 3460044144 | 0.000174 | 0.027773 |
| 4 2-4 + 5-K | 80 | 7662444216 | 0.000384 | 0.030752 |
| 4 5-K | 50 | 32505224436 | 0.001631 | 0.081535 |
| Full house | 10 | 216538304868 | 0.010863 | 0.108632 |
| Flush | 6 | 225383782236 | 0.011307 | 0.067842 |
| Straight | 4 | 254016213636 | 0.012743 | 0.050973 |
| 3 of a kind | 3 | 1500911478996 | 0.075297 | 0.225891 |
| Two pair | 1 | 2454252380532 | 0.123124 | 0.123124 |
| Jacks or better | 1 | 4215941787060 | 0.211503 | 0.211503 |
| Nothing | 0 | 11015803405920 | 0.552635 | 0.000000 |
| Total | 19933230517200 | 1.000000 | 1.000670 | |
Conflict Hands
The following list shows all the difficult hands, and how to correctly play them. Definitions:- High Card = Jack, Queen, King or Ace
- Straight Flush draw (type 1) = Open ended straight flush draw, in which the number of high cards equals or exceeds number of gaps.
- Straight Flush draw (type 2) = Open ended straight flush draw, with one gap, or two gaps with one high card, any ace-low, or 234 suited.
- Straight Flush draw (type 3) = Straight flush draw with two gaps and no high cards.
- K Q J T 9 Straight Flush or 4 to a Royal Flush: Keep the straight flush
- A A A 5 5 Three Aces or Full House: Keep the three aces
- 7 7 7 9 9 Full House or Three of a Kind (other than aces): Keep the full house
- 2 3 9 4 6 Flush or 4 to a Straight Flush: Keep the flush
- 5 6 7 8 9 Straight or 4 to a Straight Flush: Keep the straight
- A A 7 7 T Pair of Aces or Two Pair: Keep the pair of aces
- A A K Q J Pair of Aces or 3 to a Royal Flush: Keep the pair of aces
- J J Q K K Two Pair or 3 to a Royal Flush: Keep the two pair
- J J Q K 9 High Pair (J/Q/K) or 3 to a Royal Flush (suited KQJ): Keep the suited KQJ
- J J T Q A High Pair (J/Q/K) or 3 to a Royal Flush (except KQJ): Keep the high pair
- A K Q 5 7 3 to a Royal Flush (except TJA/TQA/TKA) or 4 to a Flush: Keep the 3 to a royal flush
- A K T 5 7 3 to a Royal Flush (suited TJA/TQA/TKA) or 4 to a Flush: Keep the 4 to a flush
- K Q J T 8 3 to a Royal Flush or 4 to an outside straight with 1+ high cards: Keep the 3 to a royal flush
- K Q J T T 4 to an outside straight with 1+ high cards or low pair: Go for the straight
- 4 5 6 7 7 Low pair or 4 to an outside straight with 0 high cards: Keep the low pair
- 3 4 5 6 8 4 to an outside straight with 0 high cards or 3 to a straight flush (any type): Go for the straight
- 4 5 6 J Q 3 to a straight flush (type 1) or 2 suited high cards: Go for the straight flush
- 9 J Q K 3 2 suited high cards or 4 to an inside straight with 3 high cards: Keep the 2 suited high cards
- J A 2 3 4 2 suited high cards or 3 to a straight flush (type 1 or 2): Keep the 2 suited high cards
- 8 9 J Q K 4 to an inside straight with 3 high cards or 3 to a straight flush (type 2): Keep 4 to an inside straight with 3 high cards
- 8 J Q K 2 3 to a straight flush (type 2) or KQJ unsuited: Go for the straight flush
- 2 4 5 A 6 3 to a straight flush (type 2) or Ace: Go for the straight flush
- 2 3 4 J Q 3 to a straight flush (type 2) or QJ unsuited: Go for the straight flush
- 5 6 8 T J 3 to a straight flush (type 2) or JT suited: Go for the straight flush
- Q J A 9 7 QJ unsuited or Ace: Keep the QJ unsuited
- A T J 6 3 Ace or JT suited: Keep the Ace
- A K Q 7 4 Ace or KQ/KJ unsuited: Keep the Ace
- T K A 9 8 Ace or KT/QT suited: Keep the Ace
- A J 5 7 8 Ace or AK/AQ/AJ unsuited: Keep the Ace
- A 6 9 T 4 Ace or 3 to a straight flush (type 3): Keep the Ace
- K J T 8 5 JT suited or KJ unsuited: Keep the JT suited
- J T 2 4 6 JT suited or 3 to a straight flush (type 1): Keep the JT suited
- K Q T 8 5 KQ/KJ unsuited or KT/QT suited: Keep the unsuited KQ/KJ
- K J 3 5 7 KQ/KJ unsuited or 3 to a straight flush (type 1): Keep the unsuited KQ/KJ
- Q T 8 4 2 KT/QT suited or King/Queen/Jack only: Keep the suited KT/QT
- Q T 4 5 8 KT/QT suited or 3 to a straight flush (type 1): Keep the suited KT/QT
- J 4 6 8 2 Jack/Queen/King or 3 to a straight flush (type 3): Keep the Jack, Queen or King
- J 3 4 5 7 Jack/Queen/King or 4 to an inside straight with 0 high cards: Keep the Jack, Queen or King
- 2 3 4 6 7 3 to a straight flush (type 3) or 4 to an inside straight with 0 high cards: Keep the 3 to a straight flush (type 3)
Double Bonus Strategy
Traditional Strategy Table
The following list shows the value of each type of hand on the deal, in order from best to worst. To play a difficult hand, look up all viable ways to play it on the list, and play the highest one. Plays that do not appear on the list, such as four to an inside straight with one high card, should never be made. In that example, you would play the high card only.- Straight flush, royal flush
- Four of a kind (hold kicker if appropriate)
- 4 to a royal flush
- Three aces
- Straight, flush, full house
- Three of a kind (except aces)
- 4 to a straight flush
- High pair (Aces)
- Two pair
- 3 to a royal flush - KQJ
- High pair (J,Q,K)
- 3 to a royal flush - AKQ, AKJ, AQJ, KQT, KJT, QJT
- 4 to a flush
- 3 to a royal flush - AKT, AQT, AJT
- 4 to an outside straight with 1 or more high cards
- Low pair
- AKQJ unsuited
- 4 to an outside straight with 0 high cards
- 3 to a straight flush (type 1)
- 2 suited high cards
- 4 to an inside straight with 3 high cards
- 3 to a straight flush (type 2)
- KQJ unsuited
- 4 to an inside straight with 2 high cards
- QJ unsuited
- Ace
- JT suited
- KQ, KJ unsuited
- KT, QT suited
- Jack, Queen or King
- 3 to a straight flush (type 3)
- 4 to an inside straight with 0 high cards
- Discard everything
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Written by:Michael Shackleford
The extra bonus payoff is a plus, but beware the volatility
By Henry Tamburin
The most important fact to remember about DDB is that it’s a highly volatile game, meaning the bankroll swings are much greater than a less volatile game such as Jacks or Better. Let me repeat this so it sinks in: DDB is very volatile.
Double Double Bonus (DDB) poker is by far the most popular video poker game. Its popularity stems from the extra bonus payoff that you get with four aces, 2s, 3s, or 4s accompanied with a “kicker” (a specific fifth card that is in the same hand as the four-of-a-kind). What follows are some facts about the game (good and bad), and some tips to improve your chances of winning.
Kickers
DDB Poker was the first video poker game to implement kickers. In fact, its name “Double Double Bonus” is the result of the fact that the payoffs for specific four-or-a-kind hands pay double the amount paid in Double Bonus when a kicker is present. In DDB, a kicker is an ace, 2, 3, and 4.
The key hands in DDB that result in a bonus payout are:
| Hand | Payout with Five-Coins Played |
| Four Aces with2, 3, or 4 kicker | 2000 coins |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s withA, 2, 3, or 4 kicker | 800 coins |
Thus, it’s possible to be paid the equivalent of half a royal flush (i.e. $500 on a quarter-denomination machine) when you are dealt four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker. How often will this occur? Roughly once in 16,000 hands. This is greater than the once in about 40,000 hands occurrence for the royal flush. This payout of half a royal flush is what makes DDB such an exciting game for players.
Pay Schedules
The following table summarizes the different pay schedules for DDB that you are likely to encounter, and the accompanying ERs (expected returns). The most prevalent pay schedule is 9/6. The expected return for this game is 98.98%, assuming you play every hand perfectly and you play max coins. I would strongly encourage you to not play a 9/5, or even worse, an 8/5 DDB game, simply because the ER is miserable. (Note: I’ve seen even lower pay schedules for DDB; these games should absolutely be avoided!)
Finally, you’ll see I’ve included a 10/6 pay schedule with a 100.06% ER. Unfortunately, this pay schedule is not readily available in most gaming jurisdictions. You will find them in certain locals casinos in Las Vegas, where the 10/6 pay schedule is offered in $1 and lower denominations. Check www.vpfree2.com for a listing of casinos that offer 10/6 DDB.
Double Double Bonus Pay Schedule
Payout per Coin Played
| 10/6 | 9/6 | 9/5 | 8/5 | |
| Royal Flush | 250* | 250* | 250* | 250* |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Four Aces with 2, 3, 4 kicker | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Four Aces | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s with A, 2, 3, or 4 kicker | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Four 5 through Kings | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Full House | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Flush | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Three-of-a-Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pair of Js, Qs, Ks, As | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ER | 100.06% | 98.98% | 97.87% | 96.79% |
*4000 for a five-coin royal flush.
Playing Strategy
You might think the playing strategy for DDB would be identical to Double Bonus (after all, the names are nearly the same). But this isn’t the case. The factor that most affects the strategy is the payoff for the flush (rather than the payoff for the full house and straight). The flush payoff for 9/6 DDB is 6 coins times your bet, whereas it’s 7 coins in Double Bonus. (In fact, the playing strategy for DDB is closer to 9/6 Jacks or Better, because the flushes in the latter game pay 6 coins times your bet.)
The playing strategy for DDB is unique because of the extra value of Aces and kickers. For example, if you play DDB and you have a full house that contains three aces, you’d break up the full house and hold the three aces. Likewise, if you have a hand that contains two pair and one of the pair is aces, you only hold the two aces. You’ll also be going for inside straights more often playing DDB, compared to Jacks or Better.
You’ll find an accurate playing strategy for DDB on the video poker page at www.wizardofodds.com, including a list of 39 practice hands to test your playing skills. I’d also recommend that you consider using a video poker software training program on your home computer to practice the strategy—and there’s no shame in bringing a strategy card to the casino, either.
Variance
The most important fact to remember about DDB is that it’s a highly volatile game, meaning the bankroll swings are much greater than a less volatile game such as Jacks or Better. Let me repeat this so it sinks in: DDB is very volatile.
The reason the game is more volatile is because those juicy four of a kind jackpot hands containing aces through 4s with a kicker occur infrequently, at the expense of a reduced payoff for the more frequently hit two pair, straight, flush, and full house hands. If you don’t get lucky and get at least one four of a kind hand during a session, your bankroll will head south rather quickly. Because DDB has a high volatility, it also requires a relatively greater bankroll to get you through those long stretches from one jackpot to the next. Heed my advice and be prepared—emotionally, and financially—for the volatility that is inherent in this game.
Summary
DDB has these characteristics:
- The game offers mini-jackpots for infrequent four of a kind hands with a kicker.
- The ER of the common 9/6 DDB is 98.98%. This means most recreational players will lose in the long run playing this game because it’s rare to find casino perks that will increase the overall EV to greater than 100%. If you’re in Las Vegas, play the 10/7 DDB game.
- The playing strategy is unique, and you need to learn it before you play (don’t use the Double Bonus strategy even if the names of these games sound almost the same).
- The game is very volatile, so expect large swings in your bankroll.
Tamburin’s Tip of the Month
Video Poker Triple Double Bonus Strategy
How would you play this hand in DDB?
Double Double Bonus Strategy Card
Most players would hold the three aces along with a kicker because they’re hoping to draw another ace, which would give them four aces and a deuce kicker for a half-royal payoff. However, making that play is a mistake. With DDB, if your hand has three aces and a 2 through 4 kicker, you shouldn’t keep the kicker. The play that has the higher expected value is to hold the three aces and draw two cards.