Triple Double Bonus Poker Strategy: Hold the Kicker? (2026 Guide)

Q: Do I hold the kicker with 3 Aces?

Yes. If the kicker is a 2, 3, or 4, you must hold it. The expected value (EV) of holding is higher because the payout jumps to 4000 coins.

Q: Do I hold the kicker with 3 Kings?

No. For Kings (5s through Kings), there is no kicker bonus. Discard the kicker to give yourself two chances to draw the fourth King.

Q: What is the variance of this game?

Triple Double Bonus has extremely high variance (over 90), significantly higher than Jacks or Better. You need a larger bankroll to play.

Q: Is Triple Double Bonus better than Double Double Bonus?

TDB is more volatile with higher top payouts (4000 coins). DDB is slightly more balanced. Choose TDB if you are chasing the big quads wins.

5 June 2025

4 minutes to read

Spread the word

Mark TaylorVideo Poker Analysis • Updated: February 2, 2026

Triple Double Bonus Poker is a beast of a game. I like to play it because it pays big time! However, the variance can be brutal, and the play is fast. The most common dilemma players face is this: Should you hold the kicker when you’re dealt three Aces and a low card (2, 3, or 4)?

In standard Bonus Poker, you always toss the kicker to maximize your chance of getting the fourth Ace. But Triple Double Bonus is different. The payout for “Four Aces with a Kicker” is 800 coins—the same as a Royal Flush.

🛡️Editorial Transparency: We independently audit all casinos. We may earn a commission if you visit them through our links. Read our Editorial Policy.

Join me as I unpack the math, the hand odds, and payout tables. When you’re chasing 4,000-coin wins (on max bet), one card changes everything. Want more pro strategy? Check out our full Video Poker guide.

Exclusive bonus for CasinoWhizz players

350% Bonus Up to $3,000

PROMO CODE

WHIZZL2P

✅ Play Triple Double Bonus Now

1. The Math: Why the Kicker Matters

In standard poker, a “kicker” is just a tie-breaker. In Triple Double Bonus, the kicker is a multiplier. The game pays 4000 coins (on a 5-coin bet) for Four Aces with a 2, 3, or 4. If you hit Four Aces with a 5 through King, it “only” pays 800 coins.

The Scenario: You are dealt A-A-A-3-9.

Do you hold A-A-A-3 (keep kicker) or A-A-A (toss kicker)? Here is the EV breakdown:

Option A: Hold A-A-A-3 (Keep Kicker)

Target: You need exactly the 4th Ace.
Odds: 1 in 47 cards remaining.
Payout: 4000 coins (Max Win).
EV: ~105.32 coins.

Option B: Hold A-A-A (Toss Kicker)

Target: You need the 4th Ace AND a 2, 3, or 4 kicker.
Odds: Much lower to hit the specific combo.
Payout: Varies (could be 800 or 4000).
EV: ~76.60 coins.

Conclusion: The math is undeniable. Always Hold the Kicker (2, 3, or 4) with 3 Aces. The EV of holding is significantly higher (~28 coins per hand) than tossing it.

2. Triple Double vs. Double Double: The Difference

Many players confuse this game with Double Double Bonus (DDB). In DDB, the payout for Aces+Kicker is 2000 coins (half of TDB). In DDB, the math is closer, but you still generally hold the kicker.

However, TDB increases the variance significantly. Because so much of the RTP is concentrated in these massive 4-of-a-Kind hands, the payouts for lower hands (Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush) are often reduced to pay for the jackpots. This leads to faster bankroll swings.

Hand	Double Double Bonus	Triple Double Bonus
4 Aces + 2,3,4	2000	4000
4 2s,3s,4s + A-4	800	2000
3 of a Kind	15	10

3. Smart Tips for Playing Triple Double Bonus

This game isn’t for casuals. It’s high-volatility, high-swing, and absolutely brutal if you make a mistake. Here’s how I ride out those hands:

🎯 Always Bet Max Coins (5): The 4000-coin payout only happens if you’re betting max. If you bet 1-4 coins, the payout scaling is often worse. Don’t play short-stacked.
🃏 Hold the Kicker with Aces: As proven above, holding the 2, 3, or 4 with Aces is mandatory.
🃏 Hold the Kicker with 2s, 3s, 4s: If you have three 3s and an Ace, HOLD THE ACE. The payout for 4 3s with an Ace is 2000 coins.
💥 Know What You’re Playing: TDB has a much lower hit frequency for small wins than Jacks or Better. You will lose faster.
💳 Use Crypto + Bonuses: Use match bonuses when available to cushion the variance. Crypto casinos often have the best paytables.

Triple Double Bonus Poker paytable example

Always check the paytable. Look for 9/6 or 9/7 versions.

4. Paytable Variations: 9/7 vs 9/5

Like all Video Poker, the house edge depends on the Full House and Flush payouts. In Triple Double Bonus, you want to find a 9/7 or 9/6 machine.

9/7 Version: 99.58% RTP (The Holy Grail). Very rare online.
9/6 Version: 98.15% RTP. Common “Good” version.
9/5 Version: 97.02% RTP. Avoid if possible.

5. Verification & Resources

For a deeper dive into the specific EV calculations of kicker strategy, I recommend the Wizard of Odds TDB Strategy page. Additionally, VPFree2 tracks which land-based casinos offer the 9/7 paytables, though online availability varies.

Conclusion: Hold It.

Triple Double Bonus Poker is defined by its kickers. It is one of the few games where a “low card” (2, 3, 4) is as valuable as an Ace. When dealt three Aces and a kicker, hold it. The math is clear. You are trading a small chance at a Full House for a massive chance at a Jackpot. In the high-variance world of TDB, you have to swing for the fences.

FAQs: Triple Double Bonus Strategy

Do I hold the kicker with 3 Aces?

Yes. If the kicker is a 2, 3, or 4, you must hold it. The payout for hitting the 4th Ace with a kicker is 4000 coins, compared to 800 coins without it.

Do I hold the kicker with 3 Kings?

No. The special payouts only apply to Aces, 2s, 3s, and 4s. For Kings (5s through Kings), the kicker does not increase the payout, so you should discard it to maximize your chance of drawing the 4th King.

What is the variance of this game?

Triple Double Bonus has Extremely High Variance (typically over 90.0). This is much higher than Jacks or Better (19.5). You need a larger bankroll to survive the swings.

Is Triple Double Bonus better than Double Double Bonus?

It depends on your goal. TDB offers higher top-end payouts (4000 vs 2000 coins) but has lower payouts for mid-tier hands, making it more volatile. If you want jackpot potential, play TDB.