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Jacks or Better versus Bonus Poker

17 September 2022

An article promoting full-pay (8/5) Bonus Poker as a good alternative when full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better cannot be found was recently posted here. The article stated that in addition to a good return (99.17 versus 99.54 percent) and low variance, the playing strategy is also nearly identical.

I thought it might be interesting to explore playing strategy differences and similarities.

This is the first of several strategy quizzes on the differences (or lack thereof) between the strategy for various hands played on full-pay Jacks or Better and full-pay Bonus Poker. All hands assume the maximum bet of five credits.

Let’s begin quiz number one.

You are dealt this hand: Ks, Jh, Th, 8d, 7d.

This hand has two high cards (Ks, Jh) and two cards of a royal flush (Jh, Th) and not much else.

What would you hold playing full-pay Jacks or Better?

The four top holds are:

• Jh, Th – returns 2.4496 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.
• Ks, Jh – returns 2.4308 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.
• Ks – returns 2.3067 credits on, average, for the five credits bet.
• Jh – returns 2.2939 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.

Holding the two cards of a royal flush is the proper hold for Jacks or Better.

Now let’s look at Bonus Poker.

The four top holds in decreasing return sequence are:

• Ks, Jh – returns 2.4252 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.
• Jh, Th – returns 2.3944 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.
• Ks – returns 2.2876 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.
• Th – returns 2.2694 credits, on average, for the five credits bet.

Holding the two high cards is the proper hold for Bonus Poker.

For this particular hand, the strategy is different between Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker.

While the difference in return appears to be fairly small, it adds up. So, make sure you are comfortable with all the strategy differences before switching to a different game.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of "Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!" You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com
Jerry Stickman

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker! You can contact Jerry "Stickman" at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com.

Jerry Stickman Websites:

www.goldentouchcraps.com
www.goldentouchblackjack.com
Jerry Stickman
Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker! You can contact Jerry "Stickman" at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com.

Jerry Stickman Websites:

www.goldentouchcraps.com
www.goldentouchblackjack.com