For example, supposed you were to play 9/6 Double Double Bonus instead of the much less volatile 8/5 Bonus Poker (BP). Both games have roughly a 99% expected return (ER) but the variance for 9/6 DDB is much higher (41.99) compared to 8/5 BP (20.90) Let’s assume you have a $200 bankroll and you want to play for two hours (1000 hands).

1. The strategy in Double Double Bonus is worked out on the strength of the hands shown on the pay table. As there are 52 cards in the deck when playing Double Double Bonus, the probability of hands is also taken into the equation.
2. The playing strategy for 10/6 and 9/6 DDB is virtual identical; however, most players blunder when they play DDB because the playing strategy is more difficult to master than either the strategy for Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, or Double Bonus.

Double Double Bonus Poker is a high variance video poker game similar to Jacks or Better. While the goal of the game is the same – to get a royal flush – there are smaller jackpots for special four of a kinds in Double Double Bonus Poker. The payout is even bigger if a jackpot four of a kind is matched with a special kicker card.

This game is a part of the Bonus Poker family distributed by IGT and may be found in online casino software and at most live casinos on Game King machines. Read on to learn more about proper strategy, how to play and find pay tables.

Special Payouts

Double Double Bonus Poker pays double on most four of a kind hands. It has an added bonus for quad aces, twos, threes and fours when the fifth card is also an ace, two, three or four. The basic strategy for Double Double Bonus Poker is complicated which is due to the bonus pays on the kicker. The perfect play varies depending on the pay table.

Our advice applies to the full pay version of Double Double Bonus Poker. This game pays 10 coins on a full house and six on a flush. Most casinos pay 9/6, 9/5, or even worse; 8/5. The 10/6 pay table returns 100.07% with perfect play. The 9/6 payout drops that to 99%. The other versions return below 98%. Most online casinos offer the 9/6 Double Double Bonus Poker structure if running the IGT version. Some knock off video poker platforms pay 9/5 or lower.

Finding the Best Double Double Bonus Poker Machine

The best Double Double Bonus Poker machines will pay 10 on a full house and 6 on a flush. These are very hard to find. Station Casinos properties in Las Vegas are known to spread these games that return just over 100% to players. The second best pay table returns 9 on a full house and 6 on a flush. This is a 99% return to player with perfect strategy. Double Double Bonus Poker machines that pay less than 9 on a full house and 6 on a flush should be avoided as the hold is at least two percent.

As we briefly mentioned above, the first step in receiving the best Double Double Bonus Poker return is finding the best pay table. At Aliante Casino and Station Casinos in Las Vegas, that is the 10/6 pay table. These may be found on machines that advertise 100% returns. That pay table looks like this:

Best Double Double Bonus Pay Table

– Royal Flush: 800 (250 if fewer than five coins wagered)
– Four Aces with a 2, 3 or 4 kicker: 400
– Four Twos, Three or Fours with an Ace, Two, Three or Four Kicker: 160
– Four Aces with a Five-King Kicker: 160
– Straight Flush: 50
– Four of a Kind 2’s, 3’s and 4’s with a Five-King Kicker: 80
– Four of a Kind 5’s through Kings: 50
– Full House: 10
– Flush: 6
– Straight: 5
– Three of a Kind: 3
– Two Pair: 1
– Pair of Jacks or Higher: 1

The high returns on four of a kind hands, especially those involving aces, twos, threes and fours, make Double Double Bonus Poker a high variance game. There are some unusual plays that are important to know before putting your cash into the machine.

How to Play Double Double Bonus Poker

The first step to playing Double Double Bonus Poker is to insert a bill into the acceptor. Modern bill acceptors will also accept tickets that were printed by other games at the casino. Some older machines like those at The D in downtown Las Vegas still accept coins but not tickets.

The next step is to bet five coins. This may be done by pressing the max bet button. Players should always bet the max because it increases the payout on a royal flush from 250 to 800 per coin. Once the bet is made, five cards are dealt. The player clicks the hold button on cards that he wishes to stay with and clicks deal. This will remove the discards and replace them with fresh ones. The hand is then graded using the pay table on the machine.

Finding the best pay table and using a players card are two ways to get the best return while playing video poker. Those benefits will not matter if you make mistakes while playing. It is important to learn the proper strategy for Double Double Bonus Poker before inserting your money into the machine.

It is obvious that a player should always keep a royal or straight flush. Four of a kind should always be held, but if the quads are aces, twos, threes or fours, the kicker should be thrown if it is not a bonus card. From there, four to a royal flush should be held. The next steps for which cards to hold are listed below in the order of importance:

– Three aces (discard bottom pair if dealt full house)
– Full house, flush and straight
– All other trips or four to any straight flush
– Pair of aces (break to pair aces up)
– Two pair
– Pair of jacks or better, unless JQK suited, then hold royal flush draw
– Any other three-card royal flush
– Four to a flush
– Four to an open ended straight
– Pair of 10’s or lower
– Four un-paired cards jack and higher
– KQJ offsuit; also hold a nine, if dealt
– Four-card gutshot (inside straight draw) with two cards jack or higher
– QJ off-suit
– Bare ace
– JT suited
– King-high with a queen or jack
– Ten with a suited queen or king
– Bare jack, queen or king
– Any gutshot
– Redraw five new cards

Double Bonus Video Poker Strategy

Double Double Bonus Poker Strategy

While the game is based on Jacks or Better, the higher payout for special quads changes some of the decisions. The difference is that players will break apart three aces from a full house and two aces from two pair. Players dealt a special four of a kind will need to make sure the kicker is an ace, 2, 3, or 4. If not, the kicker should be tossed in the hopes that a bonus card is drawn.

Standard Double Double Bonus Poker Pay Table

The following table is the most common Double Double Bonus Poker pay table. It returns 99%. Some casinos will short pay the game by only paying 7 or 8 on a full house. The full pay game pays 10 on a full house.

Note that four of a kind pays at least double a standard Jacks or Better game. Two pair only returns the bet to offset this advantage.

Double Double Bonus Poker 8-5 Strategy Plan

– Royal Flush: 250-1 (800-1 on five coins)
– Straight Flush: 50-1
– Four Aces with 2, 3, or 4 kicker: 400-1
– Four Aces: 160-1
– Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with Ace, 2, 3, or 4 kicker: 160-1
– Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s: 80-1
– All other quads: 50-1
– Full House: 9-1
– Flush: 6-1
– Straight: 4-1
– Three of a Kind: 3-1
– Two Pair: 1-1
– Pair of Jacks or Better: 1-1

Where to Find 10/6 Double Double Bonus Poker

There are 13 casinos in Las Vegas that offer 10/6 Double Double Bonus Poker. All major Station Casinos properties have this game which includes:

– Red Rock Resort
– Green Valley Ranch
– Texas Station
– Palace Station
– Sunset Station
– Boulder Station
– Santa Fe Station
– Fiestas
– Aliante Casino
– Club Fortune
– Sam’s Town

Most other casinos will offer this game where a full house only pays nine coins. Some casinos go as low as seven or eight on a full house and five on a flush. Those machines should be avoided as the house edge is more than 3%.

How to Increase Your Return at Double Double Bonus Poker

While finding the best pay table for Double Double Bonus Poker is important, there are other steps to take to ensure receiving the best return on the game. Always use a players card when gambling in a casino. New players often receive perks like $5 or $10 in free play. The first trip to a casino will often trigger an inflated mailer to entice a return visit. This will include free play and maybe a hotel room. A food comp is sometimes included.

The actual play will also generate comps. Points earned while on the machine can often be converted to free play right on the machine. Some casinos pay cash for these points.

There is little downside to joining a casino players club. The only exception is if you are a professional gambler that only gives action on 100% video poker or counts cards at blackjack. Some casinos will eventually stop mailing offers if they suspect that you are an advantage gambler.

Online casino players are automatically enrolled in the site’s VIP program. Make sure to read the rules on the promotions page. Some online casinos require players to opt in for VIP and bonus programs.

Double Double Bonus Poker 8-5 Strategy

Common Double Double Bonus Poker Mistakes

Double Double Bonus Poker 8-5 Strategy Calculator

Players used to playing Jacks or Better or other bonus games may make some errors at Double Double Bonus Poker. One mistake may be not going for an ace, two, three or four kicker when dealt bonus quads. Another may be failing to break apart a full house with three aces or two pair when one is aces. While quad deuces, threes and fours pay a bonus, these pairs should not be kept over flush and open ended straight draws.

Always Play with a Players Card

Double Double Bonus Poker Strategy

Casinos issue players cards upon request. These return free play based on the total amount wagered. Players can also get comped based on this action. At the end of the month, the casino will rate the play and send offers by mail that include free slot play, meals, and hotel, as well as other coupons.