Bonus poker is a popular video poker game that you may encounter when you play online slots or blackjack. It is similar to Jacks or Better, but it offers higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. Video poker games are casino games that use the rules of five-card draw poker. If you are not familiar with these terms, don’t worry. This guide will explain everything you need to know about the game. You will learn how to play, how to win, and how to have fun. By the end of this article, you will be ready to try your luck and maybe even hit the jackpot!
Terminologies
These terms are important to know because they affect your payouts and strategy. In this section, we will explain some of the common terms and video poker hands that you will see when you play bonus poker online:
- High Card or No pair: Five cards of different ranks and suits. It is ranked as the lowest hand in most poker games.
- One Pair: It is also known as a pair; two cards of one rank and three kickers/ three cards of other ranks
- Two Pair: A two pair has two cards of one rank, two different cards of another rank, and one card of a third rank. A two-pair can be further described as a low pair or high pair.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of one rank and two others of different ranks.
- Straight: any cards of consecutive value. This means five consecutive cards of different suits.
- Flush: Having any 5 cards of the same suit. The cards are not of sequential rank.
- Full House: A pair and three of a kind. The pair must be two cards of the same value. The full house is alternatively referred to as a full boat. The difference between the full house and three of a kind is in the pair.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value and rank and one card of another rank. The one different card is referred to as the kicker.
- Five of a Kind: Five cards of the same value and rank. It is only possible when a wild card rule is used to allow the joker or any other designated card to represent any other card in the deck.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit. They must be sequential.
- Royal Flush: A King, a Queen, a Jack, a Ten, and an Ace of the same suit. The royal flush is considered the highest-ranking card in a poker game.
Game Rules
To play bonus poker online, you need to deposit money or credits into the video poker machine. The screen will show you how many coins you can bet for each round. You can choose to bet from 1 to 5 coins, but remember that betting more coins can increase your chances of winning. The virtual dealer deals you 5 cards, like in a five-card draw game. You can choose to keep or discard any of the cards and get new ones from the dealer. Your final hand will decide how much you win based on the paytable and the poker rank of your hand.
Bonus Poker Strategy
Let’s talk about strategy. The strategy used revolves around a list of possible hands that we outlined above. A strategy used in bonus poker can be used as well in Jacks or Better is you move through the various hands to the best possible kind. Here is an outline of the traditional plays of the game.
- 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush, Royal Flush: If a player gets such a hand in the initial deal out, the strategy would be to keep for the guaranteed payout or try for the royal flush.
- Four of a kind to a Royal Flush: These are the highest-paying hands in the game. Discard the kicker and play it out for a higher payoff.
- Straight, Flush, Full House: From the initial hand dealt, discard the unsuited cards as one builds up to a full house.
- Two Pair: A low pair has a pretty low payout. A high pair is not much better. A player tries to play out for two or three of a kind.
- Jacks, Queens, or Kings: The initial hand is pretty bad. One could play for a high pair. If you are lucky a possible three of a kind.
Payouts
The payouts may differ from one gambling site to another. Some online casino preferences may affect the odds of individual players slightly. One rule that applies to all bonus poker games is that they pay more for four-of-a-kind hands than Jacks or Better video poker. Most casinos that have the 8-5 share a common payout. Here is a guide on the common payouts:
- Royal Flush: Just like in Jacks or Better, this is the highest-paying hand. It pays off 800 to 1.
- Straight Flush: The payout for this handstands at 50 to 1.
- Four of a Kind (aces): It is a big bonus hand in the game. The payoff is at 80 to 1. Among the four-of-a-kind hands, it is the highest paying.
- Four of a Kind (2s, 3s, or 4s): The payout is at 40 to 1.
- Other four-of-a-kind hands: 25 to 1 is the standard payout.
- Full house: The hand pays off 8 to 1.
- Flush: The payout is at 5 to 1.
- Straight: Expect a 4 to 1 payoff with this hand.
- Three of a Kind: 3 to 1 pay off
- Two Pair: 2 to 1 pay off
- A pair of jacks or better: This kind of hand gives you even odds.
Where to Play Bonus Poker?
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Tips for Playing Bonus Poker
Luck does not affect your gambling results as a player. You have to think and plan your moves carefully to get a royal flush. It is very similar to All American Poker which requires a lot of skill and practice to improve your game and to have an edge over the house. Here are some tips that will help you become a better player:
Know when and not to bet the max no. of coins
The best strategy for bonus poker is to always bet the maximum number of coins in every hand. This way, you can get the highest payout possible if you hit a royal flush. The odds of getting a royal flush with a max bet are 800 to 1. However, if you don’t have enough money to bet 5 coins, don’t worry. You can still play and win with a lower bet. Just make sure you manage your bankroll wisely.
Visit bonus poker forums
If you want to learn and play bonus poker, you may have some questions about the game. Luckily, the internet has many forums where you can connect with other online gamblers and learn from them. You can find strategies, hacks, tips, and more on these forums. You can also have some fun and chat with other players who share your passion for poker. Don’t forget to sign up for a newsletter and other options that can help you improve your game.
Practice, practice, then practice some more
Playing the game involves risking some money, so you need to practice your strategy before you play for real. One way to do that is to play some free games offered by online casinos. These games let you play as many hands as you want without losing any money. You can also try Bspin Casino, which has a demo bonus poker feature that lets you learn from your mistakes.
Some of the practice software also has a trainer who can guide you and correct your errors.
Legal screening
Before you gamble online, you need to make sure that the website is legal and safe. You should check the gambling laws of your State or country and see if the website has a license from a Gambling Commission. You should also look for signs of the website’s registration and ownership, such as phrases like “all rights reserved…copyright 2020”.
Conclusion
Bonus poker is a great game for poker fans and jacks or better video poker enthusiasts. It offers some of the best payouts among casino games. However, you need to practice and master the strategy plans that are not so simple.
If you want to try other poker games, do check these games out: