Bonus and Double Bonus Versions
By Gayle Mitchell

Bonus and Double Bonus Video Poker are two very popular versions.
The pay schedules and best playing strategies are offered in this article.

Following is a full-pay 8/5 Bonus Poker paytable.
The table illustrates the payout for specific winning hands, one coin return payout and
maximum coin return payout.
Pay Schedule - Bonus Poker. 8/5                one-coin return      max. coin return
  
Pair--Jacks or Better                               returns the bet          5 coins
Two pair (2 PR)                                        pays 2-1                 10 coins
Three-of-a-kind (3/kind)                            pays 3-1                 15 coins
Straight (ST) (sequence, not same suit)       pays 4-1                 20 coins
Flush (FL) (non-sequential, same suit)          pays 5-1                25 coins
Full house (FH) (3 of a kind and a pair)         pays 8-1                 40 coins
Four-of-a-kind (quad) fives to kings             pays 25-1              125 coins
Four-of-a-kind (quad) 2?s, 3?s, or 4?s.           pays 40-1              200 coins
Four Aces                                               pays 80-1              400 coins
Straight flush (SF) (in sequence, same suit)  pays 50-1              250 coins
Royal flush (RF) (except with max. coins)      pays 250-1           4000 coins

Best Strategy: Hold two pair for the 10-coin payout.
The 10 coin or 2-1 payout for two pairs will keep you in the game longer and although a quad of fives to kings pays out only 125, this game is suggested as a good bonus play for VP players moving up from regular Jacks or Better.
The average payback percentage for Bonus Poker is 99.17%.
This percentage is maintained with maximum coins per hand at a ?full-pay? machine and  perfect strategy.

Up next is a full-pay 10/7 Double Bonus Poker paytable.
The table illustrates the payout for specific winning hands, one coin return payout and
maximum coin return payout.
Pay Schedule - Double Bonus Poker. 10/7    one-coin return      max. coin return
  
Pair--Jacks or Better                                returns the bet         5 coins
Two pair (2 PR)                                       returns the bet         5 coins
Three-of-a-kind (3/kind)                                  pays 3-1          15 coins
Straight (ST) (sequence, not same suit)             pays 5-1          25 coins
Flush (FL) (non-sequential, same suit)                pays 7-1          35 coins
Full house (FH) (3 of a kind and a pair)               pays 10-1        50 coins
Four-of-a-kind (quad) fives to kings                   pays 50-1        250 coins
Four-of-a-kind (quad) 2?s, 3?s, or 4?s.                 pays 80-1        400 coins
Four Aces                                                     pays 160-1       800 coins
Straight flush (SF) (in sequence, same suit)        pays 50-1        250 coins
Royal flush (RF) (except with max. coins)            pays 250-1      4000 coins

Best Strategy: two pair should be saved for the possibility of a generous full house payout of 50 coins. This VP game is the best bonus bet in the house.
If you are fortunate to find Double Bonus Poker that pays 10 coins or 2-1 for two pair, the average payback percentage is 101.94%

However, the most common version (as illustrated above) and still an excellent bet is Double Bonus Poker with two pair returning the bet for a payback percentage of 100.15%.
This percentage is maintained with maximum coins per hand at a ?full-pay? machine and  perfect strategy.

Until next we meet, may all your VP choices turn out to be ?royalty?.

(Gayle Mitchell is author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, E-Books, booklets & Slots Trilogy. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)