Bonus Poker is the gentlest step up from Jacks or Better. It enhances Four of a Kind payouts for Aces (80-for-1), 2s-4s (40-for-1), and leaves 5s-Kings at the standard 25-for-1. Crucially, Two Pair stays at 2-for-1, keeping variance moderate. Here's how to get the most from it.
Know When Bonus Poker Beats JoB
Bonus Poker isn't always the right choice — it depends on what pay tables are available:
| Situation | Better Game |
|---|---|
| 9/6 JoB (99.54%) vs 8/5 Bonus (99.17%) | JoB wins |
| 8/5 JoB (97.30%) vs 8/5 Bonus (99.17%) | Bonus Poker wins |
| 7/5 JoB (96.15%) vs 7/5 Bonus (98.01%) | Bonus Poker wins |
The key insight: Bonus Poker's full-pay version (8/5) is only 0.37% worse than full-pay JoB, but Bonus Poker holds its value better at lower pay tables because the quad bonuses compensate. If you can only find 8/5 JoB, switch to 8/5 Bonus Poker.
Use JoB Strategy — It's Almost Identical
Bonus Poker strategy differs from JoB in fewer than 5% of hands. The main changes:
Hold a low pair of Aces over two unsuited high cards. In JoB, a pair of Aces and holding A-K unsuited are close in value. In Bonus Poker, the pair of Aces is clearly better because quad Aces pays 80 instead of 25.
A pair of 2s, 3s, or 4s is slightly more valuable. These ranks pay 40-for-1 as quads (vs 25 in JoB). In borderline situations — like a pair of 3s vs a four-card inside Straight — the pair becomes marginally more attractive.
For 95%+ of hands, play standard JoB strategy and you'll be within 0.1% of perfect play. Don't overthink the bonus tiers.
Watch the Full House Line
| Pay Table | Full House | Flush | RTP | Hourly Cost (quarters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/7 | 10 | 7 | 100.17% | +$1.28 (profit) |
| 8/5 (Full Pay) | 8 | 5 | 99.17% | $6.23 |
| 7/5 | 7 | 5 | 98.01% | $14.93 |
| 6/5 | 6 | 5 | 96.87% | $23.48 |
The 10/7 version is a player-edge game but extremely rare. The 8/5 is your realistic target. The jump from 8/5 to 7/5 costs $8.70 per hour at quarter denomination — nearly triple the hourly cost.
Don't Chase Quad Aces
The 80-for-1 Four Aces payout is exciting, but it occurs roughly once every 5,000 hands (~8 hours of play). Don't make strategy errors trying to force it:
Don't break a paying hand for a lone Ace. If you're dealt A♠ 8♣ 8♦ 4♥ 2♠, hold the pair of 8s. The quad 8s payout (25-for-1) isn't as flashy as quad Aces, but you have a made hand.
Don't hold two unrelated Aces over a four-card draw. Dealt A♣ A♦ 5♥ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ — hold the four-card Straight Flush draw. The Straight Flush (50-for-1) and Straight/Flush fallbacks beat the quad Aces longshot.
The bonus payouts enhance your return naturally when quads occur. You don't need to force them.
Use Bonus Poker as a Stepping Stone
If you're comfortable with JoB and want to explore higher-volatility games, Bonus Poker is the right first step. The 2-for-1 Two Pair means your bankroll drains at a similar rate to JoB, while the enhanced quads add excitement.
From here, the natural progression is:
- Bonus Poker Deluxe — flat 80-for-1 all quads, Two Pair drops to 1-for-1
- Double Bonus — 160/80/50 quads, Two Pair at 1-for-1, significantly higher variance
- Double Double Bonus — kicker system adds another layer of complexity
Each step increases volatility and strategy complexity. Master each before moving to the next.