Double Bonus Poker holds a special place in video poker because its full-pay version (10/7) returns over 100% with perfect strategy. That makes it one of the few casino games where the player has a mathematical edge without needing a progressive jackpot or promotions. But the gap between 10/7 and the short-pay versions is enormous, and the strategy is harder to execute than Jacks or Better.
What Makes Double Bonus Different
Double Bonus enhances the Four of a Kind payouts compared to standard Bonus Poker:
| Four of a Kind | Double Bonus | Jacks or Better |
|---|---|---|
| Four Aces | 160-for-1 | 25-for-1 |
| Four 2s, 3s, or 4s | 80-for-1 | 25-for-1 |
| Four 5s through Kings | 50-for-1 | 25-for-1 |
The tradeoff: Two Pair pays only 1-for-1 instead of 2-for-1. This single change makes Double Bonus significantly more volatile and means your bankroll will fluctuate more during play.
Pay Table Comparison (Per Coin, Max Bet)
| Hand | 10/7 | 10/6 | 9/7 | 9/6 | 9/5 | 8/5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Four Aces | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 |
| Four 2s-4s | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Four 5s-Ks | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Full House | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Flush | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTP | 100.17% | 99.37% | 99.11% | 97.81% | 96.87% | 96.30% |
At 10/7, the player has a 0.17% edge — roughly $1.28 per hour theoretical profit at quarter denomination with 600 hands per hour. That's slim, but it's positive, and casino comps and cashback can push it significantly higher.
Hourly Cost by Pay Table
At $0.25 denomination (5-coin max = $1.25/hand), 600 hands per hour:
| Pay Table | RTP | Hourly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10/7 | 100.17% | +$1.28 (profit) |
| 10/6 | 99.37% | $4.73 |
| 9/7 | 99.11% | $6.68 |
| 9/6 | 97.81% | $16.43 |
| 9/5 | 96.87% | $23.48 |
| 8/5 | 96.30% | $27.75 |
The drop from 10/7 to 9/6 costs you over $17 per hour at quarter denomination. At dollar denomination, that's $70 per hour.
Finding 10/7 Machines
Full-pay 10/7 Double Bonus machines are rare. In Las Vegas, they're mostly found at locals casinos like South Point and some Station Casinos properties. On the Strip, 10/7 is almost nonexistent — most properties cap Double Bonus at 9/7 or worse.
Outside Vegas, 10/7 occasionally appears in competitive regional markets like Biloxi, Black Hawk, and some tribal casinos. When you find one, verify the pay table carefully — some machines display 10/7 at the quarter level but drop to 9/6 at higher denominations.
Variance and Bankroll
Double Bonus has a variance index around 28 at the 10/7 level. That's higher than 9/6 JoB (19.5) but lower than Double Double Bonus (42). The 1-for-1 Two Pair payout is the primary source of volatility.
For session play on 10/7, plan for 300 to 400 max bets. For a lifetime bankroll targeting less than 1% risk of ruin, serious players maintain 4,000+ max bets.
Bottom Line
10/7 Double Bonus is one of the best games in the casino — the player actually has an edge. But anything below 10/7 gives the house a significant advantage, and the 1-for-1 Two Pair makes short-pay versions punishing. If you can find a 10/7 machine and learn the strategy, this is the game to play.