Bonus Poker Guide
Bonus Poker is a variant of video poker that expands on the standard game by offering higher payments for certain hands, enhancing the excitement of poker play.
This guide will provide all the details you need to know to understand how to play and use strategies to your advantage.
Read on to learn more about 8/5 poker with information on paytables, how to play, tips, and strategies.
Learn About Bonus Poker
Step-by-step Guide With Payout Tables
What is Bonus Poker?
This video poker variant is very similar to standard poker play—where you must create a five-card hand to win, but with subtle differences.
You can earn a higher payout from the game if you earn a four-of-a-kind hand with twos, threes, or fours. You earn an even larger payout if you earn a four-of-a-kind with four aces.
Four aces pay off at a higher level than a straight flush, which makes this game stand out from standard poker options.
Why Do I Play Bonus Poker?
I enjoy playing Bonus Poker because exploring a poker variant with high payout potential is fun. Plus, I only need to remember poker basics to play this game.
For example, I can earn payouts from standard poker hands and increase my earning potential by securing a four-of-a-kind with lower-level cards.
I love this variant because it is easy to play and offers unique payouts.
Overall, it’s an excellent option for seasoned players and beginners alike, as it provides simple gaming with the unique features of additional paytables for four-of-a-kind matches.
Bonus Poker Paytables
Like every poker game, there is a paytable that shows you how much you can earn based on the hand you play.
It’s important to understand the hand rankings to be able to know when to play and when to fold.
Use the information below to see how to earn a payout based on Bonus Poker hands.
Basic Bonus Poker is known as 8/5 and has a return to player percentage of 99.17%. Double Bonus Poker is another variation you may see at times.
Best Online Casinos to Play Bonus Poker
Now that you understand how 8/5 Bonus Poker works, it’s time to play. Below is a list of our top-rated real money casinos that feature the game.
Create a new account with our links to play this unique video poker version.
| RANK | ONLINE CASINO | VIDEO POKER GAMES | BONUS | START |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  BetUS | VIDEO POKER GAMES 24 | BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | Play Now |
| 2 |  Super Slots | VIDEO POKER GAMES 4 | BONUS 250% up to $6,000 | Play Now |
| 3 |  Red Dog Casino | VIDEO POKER GAMES 26 | BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus | Play Now |
| 4 |  Wild Casino | VIDEO POKER GAMES 10 | BONUS 100% up to $5,000 | Play Now |
| 5 |  High Roller Casino | VIDEO POKER GAMES 21 | BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus + 100 Free Spins | Play Now |
Top Picks for Bonus Poker Casino Sites
I recommend each of the following sites because they offer premium gaming, seamless banking methods, enticing promotions, and a solid selection of Bonus Poker titles.
Red Dog Casino
Red Dog features the classic variant of Bonus Poker, perfect for beginner players.
You can play Bonus Poker with buy-ins ranging from low to high.
The game setup is simple, with the option to wager one to five coins per hand.
Select your wager and see what your potential payout will be based on the paytable on the screen.
Las Atlantis Casino
If you are searching for an assortment of Bonus Poker games, sign up for an account at Las Atlantis.
The site includes Bonus Poker, Bonus Poker Deluxe, Double Bonus Poker, and Double Double Bonus Poker.
Each game has affordable buy-ins and includes easy-to-read paytables and simple controls.
How’s Double Bonus Poker Different from Bonus Poker?
Bonus Poker and Double Bonus Poker are played the same. The only difference is the paytables.
It’s important to note these differences to see how much you would earn based on the hand rankings.
Use the table below to learn more about the payout differences per hand.
Is Double Bonus Poker Better than Bonus Poker?
Both games are great options if you are interested in video poker. The only difference between the two is the paytables.
Double Bonus Poker offers better payouts for higher-ranking hands.
If you are new to poker, start out with Bonus Poker and then switch to Double Bonus Poker.
Overall, Double Bonus Poker offers better payouts for the most common hands.
You will earn larger prizes for most winning hands versus Bonus Poker payouts.
How to Play Bonus Poker
Knowing the game’s basics can be beneficial before playing it for the first time. Use our step-by-step guide as a reference.
You can also look for demo mode options to practice a Bonus Poker game before you spend real money.
Learning how to play Bonus Poker is essential to feeling comfortable once you start playing hands with cash deposits.
- Pick Your Favorite Online Casino
You can select one of our recommended online casino sites to play Bonus Poker. - Make Your Bet
Open the game and decide on your wager for the hand. Select your bet. - Click on the DEAL Button
The game will then deal five cards from a deck of 52.
Look at your hand and decide what you want to hold on to and what you want to discard. You can decide to fold and not play. - Decide Which Cards to Keep on Your Hand
Hit the draw button once you are ready to replace any cards and continue with the hand.
The discarded cards are removed, and new ones are added to your hand. - Receive Payment (If You Have a Qualifying Hand)
You can then see if you earned a win. If your hand qualifies, the payout is added once the round ends.
Choose your bet again and start another hand, repeating the full process.
Play Bonus Poker for Free
Apply the game fundamentals, tips, and strategies you’ve just learned to the free version of a real money casino poker game.
Play This Game for Real Money Once You Feel Ready
Bonus Poker Tips & Strategies
Now that you know how to play Bonus Poker and understand the hand rankings, it’s time to implement a few video poker tips and strategies.
Adding a Bonus Poker strategy to your gameplay can boost your overall win potential with every hand.
Watch for Twos, Threes, and Fours
In traditional poker, you wouldn’t give the lower cards the time of day.
However, with Bonus Poker, there is nice payout potential for the three lower cards.
Be mindful of your hand when you have the lower cards in case you can build a solid win with an Ace included.
Don’t Worry About an Inside Straight
Holding on to cards that could give you an inside straight is common in traditional poker.
However, by doing this in Bonus Poker, you could end up with a non-winning hand.
If you have a three, four, five, and seven, the chances of drawing a six are small and not worth the low payout for a straight.
Post the Max Bet
If you can afford to post the max bet, you can earn the top payouts in the game, including for the Royal Flush.
Your win will be quite large if you land one of the higher-paying hands.
Learn the Payouts and Poker Hands
In general, new players to Bonus Poker or Poker can benefit from learning the poker hands and payouts in the game.
Knowing what scores a win, you can consider your strategy to hold or fold certain cards.
Best Decisions Based on Hand
Tough decisions occur in video poker whenever you have multiple hands to choose from, as holding or discarding the wrong cards can slowly erode your overall expected return.
This chart takes each possible hand and numbers them in order of strength, so whenever you have two or more hands to choose from, simply keep the highest one on this list.
| RANK | PRE-DRAW HANDS | OPTIMAL DECISION |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, Royal Flush | Hold pat hand |
| 2. | Four cards to a Royal Flush | Draw one card |
| 3. | Straight, Flush, Full House | Hold pat hand |
| 4. | Three of a Kind | Draw two cards |
| 5. | Four cards to a Straight Flush | Draw one card |
| 6. | Two Pair | Draw one card |
| 7. | One high Pair (Jacks or better) | Draw three cards |
| 8. | Three cards to a Royal Flush | Draw two cards |
| 9. | Four cards to a Flush | Draw one card |
| 10. | Unsuited K Q J 10 | Draw one card |
| 11. | One low pair (Tens or lower) | Draw three cards |
| 12. | Four cards to open-ended Straight | Draw one card |
| 13. | Open ended three-card Straight Flush (1+ high cards) | Draw two cards |
| 14. | Unsuited A K Q J | Draw one card |
| 15. | Two suited High cards (Jacks or better) | Draw three cards |
| 16. | Three cards to a Straight Flush (no high cards) | Draw two cards |
| 17. | Four cards to inside Straight (with 3 high cards) | Draw one card |
| 18. | Unsuited K Q J | Draw two cards |
| 19. | Unsuited Q J | Draw three cards |
| 20. | Three cards to a Straight Flush (gaps, 1 high card) | Draw two cards |
| 21. | Unsuited K Q or K J | Draw three cards |
| 22. | Suited J 10 | Draw three cards |
| 23. | Unsuited A K, A Q, or A J | Draw three cards |
| 24. | One Ace | Draw four cards |
| 25. | Three cards to a Straight Flush (no high cards) | Draw two cards |
| 26. | Suited K 10 or Q 10 | Draw three cards |
| 27. | K, Q, or J as high card | Draw four cards |
| 28. | Three cards to a Straight Flush (two gaps) | Draw two cards |
| 29. | Discard everything | Draw five cards |
*In order to read the chart, all you need to do is assess your five-card hand and determine which position(s) on the list you currently hold.
Pros and Cons of Bonus Poker
If you’re still unsure about giving Bonus Poker a try, you can take a look at what I think are its main pros and cons, to help you make a more informed decision.
Pros
- Low Pressure: Being a video poker title, you can enjoy the game at your own pace and bet lower amounts.
- Strategy Can Apply: If you like using strategies with your gameplay, you can easily do so with Bonus Poker.
- Nice Payout Potential: With this game, you can win for several hands, and the title has a high RTP of 99.17%.
Cons
- Payout Reductions: This video poker version has a reduced payout for lower-ranking hands.
- Availability: You may not find Bonus Poker at every online casino site you visit.
Mix Up Your Play Trying Different Poker Variants
As you can see, Bonus Poker is a fun alternative to traditional video poker games, offering additional hands in the payout table for more prize potential.
It’s easy to play with basic knowledge of poker gaming and offers low to high buy-ins.
Try the game yourself by visiting one of our recommended casinos. You can’t go wrong with these options, and will also find additional video poker games to try!
Get started today by signing up to one of the many Bonus Poker sites we recommend on this page.
