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5 June 2025
4 minutes to read
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 youâre 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 coinsâthe same as a Royal Flush.
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.
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.
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)
Option B: Hold A-A-A (Toss Kicker)
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.
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 |
This game isnât for casuals. Itâs high-volatility, high-swing, and absolutely brutal if you make a mistake. Here’s how I ride out those hands:
Always check the paytable. Look for 9/6 or 9/7 versions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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