Understanding Double Double Bonus Poker

• Published: June 6, 2018
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One of the video poker variants that you can play at Microgaming online casinos is Double Double Bonus Poker. This game introduces higher variance without sacrificing average return.

The differentiating aspect of online video poker variants is the payout table. In Double Double Bonus Poker the difference lies in the four of a kind hand ranking. In the Jacks or Better payout table, all four of a kind hands pay 25 coins. In Double Double Bonus Poker there are five different four of a kind hands.

Four aces with the fifth card being any two, three or four pays 400 coins.

Four aces with the fifth card being any other card pays 160 coins.

Four twos, threes or fours with the fifth card being an ace, two, three or four pays 160 coins.

Four twos, threes or fours with the fifth card being any other card pays 80 coins.

Any other four of a kind hand pays 50 coins.

In order to compensate for this, the payout for two pairs has been reduced from 2 coins in the Jacks or Better variant to 1 coin in the Double Double Bonus Poker variant. Newbie online video poker players may not understand how this compensation works. The two pair hand ranking occurs over 12% of the time, whereas four of a kind hands are dealt less than 1% of the time. Hence a small reduction in the payout of two pairs compensates for the big increase in the payouts for the four of a kind hands. The net result is the Double Double Bonus Poker offers an average return to player of 99% and gives some opportunities for hitting high payouts.

Double Double Bonus Poker is played like any other online video poker variant. The procedure is briefly explained for new players. You should always wager five coins and adjust the total bet by selecting the appropriate coin size. You are dealt five cards and have to mark which of them you want to hold. New players can enable the Auto Hold feature which indicates the cards to be held for optimum video poker strategy. The remaining cards are replaced and the final hand compared with the payout table. Payouts are made if you end up with a winning combination. If you have won, then you can try and double the amount through the optional Double feature. There is no house edge involved here. Microgaming offers Double Double Bonus Poker in the multi hand formats as well. You can play the game at online casinos like 32Red, Royal Vegas and All Slots.