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Best Tips and Tricks On Bonus Poker Strategy

bonus poker strategy

After a short break, we continue to provide the readers of Casinoz with recommendations for certain kinds of video poker. This article deals with the detailed basic strategy for Bonus Poker 8/5.

What Is Bonus Poker?

It is a standard version of poker available from a range of well-known online casino software manufacturers. In particular, you can acquire skills by playing Bonus Poker for fun or money at casinos running on the Microgaming platform.

Let's explain the meaning of 8/5 for those who do not know. These numerals indicate the payout in coins for a full house and flush while betting one coin. In other words, if the first column of the paytable has an eight next to a full house and five near a flush, this kind of video poker is called Bonus Poker 8/5.

Playing by this strategy, you can reach the RTP of 99.17%. In other words, you reduce the house edge to 0.83%.

Bonus Poker Strategy

First, let's discuss the most complex cases when it is necessary to choose the hand to collect. You can have a full poker combination, but there is the probability of getting a higher-ranking hand. Such situations will not be considered. So, firstly we describe the situation and then provide advice.

bonus poker strategy

The following terms are used:

  • High pair is a pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces.
  • Low pair is two deuces - two tens.
  • Four to a straight contains four cards in sequence (for example, 2, 3, 4, 5), which can be collected by the addition of one card from both sides.
  • Inside straight consists of four cards, which can be collected by the addition of only one missing card (for example, 2, 3, 5, 6 or A, 2, 3, 4).
  • J, Q, K, and A are a jack, queen, king, and ace.
  • Three low cards to a straight flush in sequence are equal to 2,3,4 of one suit.

So, let's discuss the strategy for Bonus Poker.

  • A straight flush or four to a royal flush - keep a straight flush.
  • A straight or four to a royal flush- try to collect a royal flush.
  • A flush or four to a royal flush- try to collect a royal flush.
  • A pair or four to a royal flush - try to collect a royal flush.
  • A straight or four to a straight flush - keep a straight.
  • A straight or three to a royal flush - keep a straight.
  • A three of a kind or three to a royal flush - keep a three of a kind.
  • A high pair (jacks and better) or four to a straight flush - try to collect a straight flush.
  • A four of a kind, or three to a straight flush, or three to a royal flush - try to collect a straight flush.
  • Two pairs or three to a royal flush - keep two pairs.
  • A high pair or three to a royal flush - keep a pair.
  • A high pair or four to a royal flush - keep a pair.
  • A high pair or 10, J, Q, K of different suits - keep a pair.
  • A three to a royal flush or four to a flush - try to collect a royal flush.
  • A three to a royal flush or four to a straight - try to collect a royal flush.
  • A three to a royal flush or low pair - try to collect a royal flush.
  • A three to a royal flush or J, Q, K, A of different suits - try to collect a royal flush.
  • A four to a royal flush or low pair - try to collect a flush.
  • A four to a royal flush or three to a straight flush - try to collect a flush.
  • 10, J, Q, K of different suits or low pair - keep 10, J, Q, K.
  • 10, J, Q, K of different suits or two high cards of one suit - keep 10, J, Q, K.
  • 10, J, Q, K of different suits or 10, J of one suit - keep 10, J, Q, K.
  • 10, J, Q, K of different suits or 10, K, or 10, Q of one suit - keep 10, J, Q, K.
  • A low pair or a four to a straight - keep a pair.
  • A low pair or three to a straight flush - keep a pair.
  • A low pair or four to a straight with three high cards - keep a pair.
  • A four to a straight or three to any straight flush - try to collect a straight.
  • J, Q, K, A of different suits or two high cards of one suit - keep J, Q, K, A.
  • Two high cards of one suit or three to a high-five straight flush - keep two high cards.
  • Two high cards of one suit or four to a straight with three high cards - keep two high cards.
  • Two high cards of one suit or J, Q, and K of different suits - keep two high cards.
  • Three low cards in sequence to a straight flush or two high cards of different suits - try to collect a straight flush.
  • Three low cards in sequence to a straight flush or 10, J of one suit - try to collect a straight flush.
  • A four to a straight with three high cards or three to a straight flush (not in sequence) - try to collect a straight.
  • J, Q, K of different suits or three to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep J, Q, K.
  • J, Q of different suits or three to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep J, Q.
  • J, Q of different suits or 10, J of one suit - keep J, Q.
  • J, Q of different suits or three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep J, Q.
  • A three to a straight flush (not in sequence) or J, K, or Q, K of different suits - try to collect a straight flush.
  • A three to a straight flush (not in sequence) or 10, J of one suit - try to collect a straight flush.
  • J, K of different suits or 10, J of one suit - keep J, K.
  • J, K, or Q, K of different suits or J, A, or Q, A, or K, A of different suits - keep J, K or Q, K.
  • J, K, or Q, K of different suits or three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep J, K or Q, K.
  • J, K, or Q, K of different suits or Q, 10, or K, 10 of one suit - keep J, K or Q, K.
  • 10, J of one suit or J, A, or Q, A, or K, A of different suits - keep 10, J.
  • 10, J of one suit or three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep 10, J.
  • J, A, or Q, A, or K, A of different suits or three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep J, A, or Q, A, or K, A.
  • J, A, or Q, A, or K, A of different suits or 10, Q, or 10, K of one suit - keep J, A, or Q, A, or K, A.
  • An ace and three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep an ace.
  • Three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) or 10, Q, or 10, K - try to collect a straight flush.
  • Three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) or any card from a jack and king - try to collect a straight flush.
  • 10, Q or 10, K of one suit or three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep 10, Q or 10, K.
  • Any card from a jack and king or three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) - keep J, Q, or A..

More Tips for Bonus Poker Players

Below is a list of hands in descending order (starting with the most profitable). This means that you should keep the cards that are located above. This version of the basic strategy is used frequently, so most players prefer to use it.

  • Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind.
  • Four to a royal flush.
  • Full house, flush, straight.
  • Three of a kind.
  • Four to a straight flush.
  • Two pairs.
  • High pair.
  • Three to a royal flush.
  • Four to a flush.
  • 10, J, Q, K of different suits.
  • Low card.
  • Four to a straight.
  • Three to a straight flush with any high card.
  • J, Q, K, A of different suits.
  • Two high cards of one suit.
  • Three to a straight flush with no high cards.
  • Four to a straight with three high cards.
  • J, Q, K of different suits.
  • J, Q of one suit.
  • Three to a straight flush (not in sequence) with one high card.
  • J, Q or J, K of different suits.
  • 10, J of one suit.
  • J, A or Q, A, or K, A of different suits.
  • An ace.
  • Three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) with one missing card (including 2, 3, 4 of one suit).
  • 10, Q or 10, K of one suit.
  • J, Q, or K.
  • Three low cards to a straight flush (not in sequence) with two missing cards.

If you don't have any of the hands mentioned above, discard all five cards and draw new ones.

You can also try these games.

Where to Play Bonus Poker?

The most convenient option is playing video poker games at online casinos. Most sites offer titles from different providers. You can usually test them for free, or you can bet with real money.

Demo versions for free are available in Casinoz reviews. Keep an eye out for more articles on Casinoz if you want to learn how to play video poker of all the most common varieties properly. We will continue this series of articles in the near future.

Lastly, here are a few popular online casinos with video poker games. 

Conclusion

We have discussed the key elements of the basic strategy for Bonus Poker 8/5. Keep in mind that this video poker is available in the range of the famous company Microgaming.

Stay tuned and read new publications on Casinoz if you want to learn how to play video poker of all the most common variations. We will keep writing articles for this series soon.

Frequently asked Questions

💲 What is the main goal of the Bonus Poker strategy?

The primary objective of the Bonus Poker strategy is to maximize your expected return over time. This strategy is based on the mathematical probabilities of drawing certain cards. Since you know exactly how many cards are in a deck and which cards have already been dealt, you can determine the statistically optimal decision for every possible hand. By following these predetermined decisions, you are playing with the lowest possible house edge, which means you give yourself the best chance to win in the long run.

💰 Does the Bonus Poker strategy change depending on the bonus payouts?

Yes, the Bonus Poker strategy is highly dependent on the game's pay table. Bonus Poker is a variation of Jacks or Better, and the core difference lies in the bonus payouts for certain Four of a Kind hands. Because these hands offer higher returns, the correct strategy will prioritize holding cards that could lead to these specific combinations, even if it means breaking up a seemingly good hand, such as a full house. For example, if you are dealt a full house with three aces, the strategy might advise you to discard the pair to try for four aces, which has a much higher payout.

✌ How does the Bonus Poker strategy handle a dealt hand with three cards to a royal flush?

The Bonus Poker strategy generally places a high value on a three-card royal flush draw. This is because a royal flush is the highest-paying hand in the game, often offering a jackpot-sized payout. While holding a smaller, guaranteed winning hand like a low pair might seem safer, the Bonus Poker strategy recognizes the significant potential return of a royal flush and advises keeping the three suited cards to draw for the remaining two. This is a clear example of how the strategy prioritizes the potential for a massive win over a small, guaranteed payout.

🔥 How important is betting the maximum number of coins when using the Bonus Poker strategy?

Betting the maximum number of coins is a crucial component of the Bonus Poker strategy. The highest payout for a royal flush is almost always disproportionately higher when you bet the maximum, typically five coins. While the payouts for other hands scale linearly with the number of coins bet, the royal flush payout sees a significant jump. By not betting the maximum, you give up the chance for the top prize, which is a major part of the game's overall return. Therefore, to achieve the highest possible return, the Bonus Poker strategy requires betting five coins on every hand.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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