bonus poker slot
Of course. You’re asking about **Bonus Poker**, which is a popular category in both **video poker** and **slot machines**. It’s important to distinguish between the two, as they are fundamentally different games.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of **Bonus Poker** in both contexts:
### 1. Bonus Poker (Video Poker)
This is a **skill-based card game** where you play against a paytable. It’s a variant of Jacks or Better.
* **How it Works:** You are dealt 5 cards. You choose which to hold and which to discard, getting new cards for the discards. Your final hand is paid according to the posted paytable.
* **The “Bonus” Element:** The paytable is altered to offer **significantly higher payouts for certain hard-to-get four-of-a-kind hands**.
* Four Aces typically pay **80 coins** (for a 5-coin max bet).
* Four 2s, 3s, or 4s pay **40 coins**.
* Four 5s through Kings pay **25 coins**.
* **Trade-Off:** To compensate for these big bonuses, the payouts for **Two Pair** and **Full House** are usually reduced compared to standard Jacks or Better. This creates higher variance (more swings in your bankroll).
* **Strategy:** Optimal strategy is different from Jacks or Better. For example, you hold low pairs more aggressively hoping for that four-of-a-kind bonus.
**Key Point:** This is a game of skill with a known long-term return (often over 99% with perfect play on the best paytables).
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### 2. Bonus Poker (Slot Machine)
This refers to a **theme and feature set** in modern slot machines. The “poker” in the name is usually just a theme (using card ranks/suits), not a reflection of poker gameplay.
* **How it Works:** It’s a pure game of chance. You spin reels with symbols like Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens.
* **The “Bonus” Element:** This comes from **special bonus rounds or features** triggered by specific symbols (like Bonus or Scatter symbols).
* **Common Features in “Bonus Poker” Slots:**
* **Free Spins Round:** The most common bonus. You get a set of free spins, often with multipliers or special expanding symbols.
* **Pick’em Bonus Game:** You click on cards or symbols to reveal instant cash prizes or multipliers.
* **Wheel Bonus:** Trigger a spin of a prize wheel for big wins.
* **”Bonus Poker” Multiplier:** Some slots simply award a random multiplier on a win.
**Key Point:** This is a game of pure luck with a Random Number Generator (RNG) determining outcomes. The long-term return is set by the slot’s volatility and RTP (Return to Player), which is typically between 92-97%.
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### Comparison Table: Video Poker vs. Slot Version
| Feature | **Bonus Poker (Video Poker)** | **Bonus Poker (Slot Machine)** |
| :— | :— | :— |
| **Game Type** | Skill-based card game. | Luck-based reel-spinning game. |
| **Player Input** | Crucial. You choose which cards to hold. | None. You just spin and watch. |
| **Strategy** | Optimal strategy exists and affects return. | No strategy. Outcomes are random. |
| **Return (RTP)** | Often **99%+** with perfect play on good machines. | Typically **92-97%**, fixed by the game. |
| **Volatility** | High (due to bonus four-of-a-kind payouts). | Can be Low, Medium, or High. |
| **Theme** | Literally poker cards and hands. | Poker/card theme is just cosmetic. |
### Which One Should You Play?
* **Play Video Poker Bonus Poker if:** You enjoy strategy, making decisions, and want a game with a mathematically higher potential return over time. Be prepared to learn the specific strategy.
* **Play the Slot Machine Version if:** You want a passive, entertaining experience with flashy graphics, engaging bonus rounds, and the chance for a big, random jackpot without complex decisions.
### **Important Tip:**
Always check the **paytable or help menu** before playing any game called “Bonus Poker.”
* In **Video Poker**, look for the “9/6” (9-for-1 Full House, 6-for-1 Flush) or “8/5” paytable to understand the return.
* In **Slot Machines**, look for the **RTP (Return to Player)** percentage and read the rules of the bonus features.
**In summary:** “Bonus Poker” is primarily known as a high-variance **video poker** game where skill matters. The slot machine version borrows the name and card theme but is a completely different, chance-based game focused on bonus rounds.
