Long gone are the days of only one type of video poker game on casino floors. Gaming manufacturing companies are answering the call of players demanding more exciting video poker games.
This article explores one of the more exciting video poker games – Triple Double Bonus Poker.
1. Why you should play Triple Double Bonus poker
Double-Double Bonus poker is a popular version of video poker. Fans of this game enjoy the possibility of several different jackpot-sized winners. In addition to the royal flush paying 4,000-for-5, here are a few more scenarios:
● Four aces with a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 pays 2,000-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 16,250 hands – on average.
● Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker of an ace, 2, 3, or 4 pays 800-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 7,000 hands – on average.
● Four aces pay 800-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 5,750 hands – on average.
● Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s pays 400-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 2,600 hands – on average.
● Four 5’s through kings pays 250-for-5 – the same as a straight flush. This hand occurs approximately once every 613 hands – on average.
Triple Double Bonus poker takes the pays for two of those hands to the next level.
● Four aces with a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 pays 4000-for-5 – twice what Double-Double Bonus pays and the same as a royal flush. This hand occurs approximately once every 14,200 hands – on average.
● Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker of an ace, 2, 3, or 4 pays 2000-for-5 – 2-1/2 times what Double-Double Bonus pays. This hand occurs approximately once every 5,800 hands – on average.
Both of these winning hands pay at least double, and, on average, they occur more often. This is the reason many video poker players choose Triple Double Bonus poker.
Video poker players who really enjoy the big hits are making Triple Double Bonus poker their game of choice.
For more information on video poker playing strategies, go here: Video Poker Strategy (with Charts & the Basics).
2. Why you should not play Triple Double Bonus poker
It is exciting to hit a winner of 2,000 or 4,000 credits. It is not all sunshine and roses, however. The higher pays have a down side.
● A hand with three of a kind is paid at 2-for-1 not 3-for-1.
● Returns for popular pay tables are lower for Triple Double Bonus – 98.15 versus 98.98 for Double-Double Bonus (9/6 version of both).
● Due to more of the winnings being tied up in fewer but higher-paying hands, the variance for Triple Double Bonus is more than twice that of Double-Double Bonus – 100 versus 42. This means the bankroll requirements are higher.
To see more information about bankroll requirements for video poker, go here: Video Poker Bankroll Requirements.
The strategies for the two games are somewhat different but of relatively the same complexity. The major differences involve hands having three aces with a kicker or three 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker. In Triple Double Bonus the kicker is always held. In Double-Double Bonus, the kicker is never held.
3. Pay table and strategy
Typical pay table for Triple Double Bonus Poker:
|
Hand |
Pays w/5 Credits |
|
Royal Flush |
4,000 |
|
Straight Flush |
250 |
|
4 Aces w/ any 2, 3, 4 |
4,000 |
|
4 2’s, 3’s, 4’s w/ any A, 2, 3, 4 |
2,000 |
|
4 Aces |
800 |
|
4 2’s, 3’s, 4’s |
400 |
|
4 5’s thru K’s |
250 |
|
Full House |
45 |
|
Flush |
30 |
|
Straight |
20 |
|
3 of a Kind |
10 |
|
2 Pair |
5 |
|
Jacks or Better |
5 |
|
Condensed Strategy for 9/6 Triple Double Bonus Poker Return: 98.15% - Variance: 100 |
|
Dealt 4-of-a-kind or better |
|
3 aces w/ any A 2, 3, 4 |
|
4-card royal flush |
|
3 aces |
|
3 2s, 3s, 4s w/any A, 2, 3, 4 |
|
3 2s, 3s, 4s |
|
Dealt flush or better |
|
3 5s-Ks |
|
Dealt straight |
|
4-card straight flush |
|
2 aces |
|
2 pair |
|
Any 3-card royal flush exc. AHT |
|
Hi pair (J-K) |
|
4-card flush |
|
AHT suited |
|
Low pair 2-4 |
|
4-card open straight |
|
QJ9, JT9 suited |
|
Low pair 5-T |
|
QJ8 suited |
|
AKQJ unsuited |
|
KH9, QT9-J98, 345-89T suited |
|
QJ suited |
|
AHHT, KQJ9 unsuited |
|
AH, KH suited |
|
3-card strt fl, 1hi, 2 gaps – KT9-J87, A23-A45, 234, 235-79T suited |
|
KQJ unsuited |
|
4-card straight, 2hi 1gap KQT9-QJ98 |
|
A |
|
QJT unsuited |
|
QJ unsuited |
|
JT suited |
|
KH unsuited |
|
QT suited |
|
3-card flush 1 high |
|
KT suited |
|
Hi card J, Q, K |
|
3-card straight flush – 0 hi, 2 gaps 236-69T suited |
|
4-card straight – 0 hi, 1 gap 2346-689T unsuited |
|
3-card flush – 0 hi |
4. Summary
● Triple Double Bonus poker takes Double-Double Bonus poker to new levels of excitement.
o Both games can return better than 98% depending on the pay table.
o Four aces with a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 pays twice that of Double-Double Bonus.
o Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker of an ace, 2, 3, or 4 pays 2-1/2 times that of Double-Double Bonus
● There is a cost for the extra excitement, however:
o Common pay tables return 98.15% for Triple Double Bonus and 98.98% for Double-Double Bonus.
o Variance for Triple Double Bonus is better than 100. It is about 42 for Double-Double Bonus. Variance for Triple Double Bonus is almost 2-1/2 times as high as Double-Double Bonus. Bankroll requirements are significantly higher.
If you enjoy playing Double-Double Bonus video poker and enjoy the thrill of the big hits, you may want to try Triple Double Bonus. Just make sure you have an adequate bankroll.
