Triple Double Bonus Question

11 November 2023

By Jerry Stickman

From Neal:

Stickman, Hi,

I enjoy playing triple double bonus poker, but I have a question. If I am dealt three of a kind that could be big winners (Aces, 2’s, 3’s, 4’s) with a kicker of Ace, 2, 3, or 4, do I keep the kicker or discard it?

I normally keep it. I want to make sure I am doing the proper thing.

Thank you,

Neal

Hi Neal,

Thank you for the question. I suspect that you are asking it because you know that in Double-Double Bonus Poker the proper strategy calls for NEVER holding a kicker of 2, 3, or 4 with three aces as well as NEVER holding a kicker of ace, 2, 3, or 4 with three 2s, 3s, or 4s.

Before giving you a direct answer, let us look at portions of typical pay tables for the two games. The pays are for five credits played.

Triple Double Bonus Poker:
Hand => Pays

4 Aces w/any 2, 3, 4 => 4000
4 2s, 3s, 4s w/any A, 2, 3, 4 => 2000
4 Aces => 800
4 2s, 3s, 4s => 400

Double-Double Bonus Poker:
Hand => Pays

4 Aces w/any 2, 3, 4 => 2000
4 2s, 3s, 4s w/any A, 2, 3, 4 => 800
4 Aces => 800
4 2s, 3s, 4s => 400

Notice that in the Double-Double Bonus Poker pay table the hands with kickers pay half or less of what is paid in Triple Double Bonus Poker (2000 versus 4000 and 800 versus 2000) while hands without the kicker are paid the same in both games. That is the crucial factor in determining whether to hold the kicker with three of a kind.

In Double-Double Bonus Poker the proper strategy is to NEVER hold a kicker with three aces, 2s, 3s, or 4s while the proper strategy in Triple Double Bonus Poker is to ALWAYS hold the kicker with three aces, 2s, 3s, or 4s.

You are playing these hands properly – congratulations!

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