So, you’re getting into video poker, and you’ve come across two of the most popular variations—Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker. They look pretty similar at first glance, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find some key differences that can impact your strategy, payouts, and overall experience.
- Jacks or Better is the classic video poker game, offering steady payouts and a simple strategy.
- Bonus Poker, on the other hand, adds higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, making it more exciting but also slightly more volatile.
Which one is the better choice for you? That depends on your playing style and risk tolerance.
In this guide on Casinoz, we’ll break down the differences, compare paytables, and help you decide which game suits you best.
Jacks or Better: The Classic Choice
If you’re new to video poker, Jacks or Better is the best place to start. It’s the most common and straightforward version of the game, making it perfect for beginners.
The goal is simple: get at least a pair of Jacks to win.
If your hand contains a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces, you’ll get a payout. Stronger hands like straights, flushes, and full houses pay more, with the royal flush offering the biggest jackpot.
Payout Structure
The standard full-pay Jacks or Better game is known as 9/6 Jacks or Better. The "9/6" refers to the payouts for a full house (9x your bet) and a flush (6x your bet). Here’s a typical paytable:
Hand | Payout (per 1 coin) |
Royal Flush | 250 (4000 for max bet) |
Straight Flush | 50 |
Four of a Kind | 25 |
Full House | 9 |
Flush | 6 |
Straight | 4 |
Three of a Kind | 3 |
Two Pair | 2 |
Jacks or Better | 1 |
Important:
Always look for the 9/6 paytable, as lower-paying versions (like 8/5 or 7/5) reduce your odds over time.
Strategy Tips
- Always hold onto high pairs (Jacks or better) over lower draws.
- Keep four-card straight and flush draws, but avoid chasing inside straights.
- Always bet five coins to qualify for the 4,000-coin royal flush payout.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Low variance = steady, predictable wins.
- Simple strategy, easy to learn.
- Widely available online and in land-based casinos.
❌ Cons:
- Lower payouts for four-of-a-kind compared to Bonus Poker.
- No extra excitement from bonus hands.
Who Should Play Jacks or Better?
If you’re looking for a simple, low-risk video poker game with a solid return, Jacks or Better is a great choice. It rewards patience and smart strategy, making it ideal for players who prefer a steady experience without major bankroll swings.
Bonus Poker: Bigger Payouts, More Excitement
If Jacks or Better feels a little too steady for your taste, Bonus Poker might be more your style. It plays almost exactly the same, but with one big difference—higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. That means bigger potential wins, but also a little more risk.
How It Works
Bonus Poker follows the same basic rules as Jacks or Better:
- You’re dealt five cards and choose which to keep.
- You try to form the best possible poker hand.
- A pair of Jacks or better still gets you a payout.
The main difference?
Four-of-a-kind hands now pay more, depending on the rank of the cards.
Payout Structure
The standard full-pay version is 8/5 Bonus Poker, meaning a full house pays 8x your bet, and a flush pays 5x. Here’s a typical paytable:
Hand | Payout (per 1 coin) |
Royal Flush | 250 (4000 for max bet) |
Straight Flush | 50 |
Four Aces | 80 |
Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 40 |
Four 5s-Kings | 25 |
Full House | 8 |
Flush | 5 |
Straight | 4 |
Three of a Kind | 3 |
Two Pair | 2 |
Jacks or Better | 1 |
Key Differences from Jacks or Better
- Four Aces pay 80x your bet instead of 25x (huge increase!).
- Other four-of-a-kind hands also pay more than in Jacks or Better.
- Lower full house and flush payouts (8/5 instead of 9/6).
Strategy Tips
- Four-of-a-kind hands matter more, so sometimes it’s worth keeping lower pairs rather than chasing draws.
- Slightly higher variance, meaning you may have longer dry spells between big wins.
- Still, bet five coins to maximize your potential royal flush payout.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands = bigger excitement.
- Still fairly easy to learn.
- A good mix of steady wins and jackpot potential.
❌ Cons:
- More variance—you might go through losing streaks before hitting a big hand.
- Lower payouts on full houses and flushes compared to Jacks or Better.
Who Should Play Bonus Poker?
If you enjoy the thrill of chasing big hands, Bonus Poker might be for you. It’s still beginner-friendly but offers more high-paying moments than Jacks or Better. Just be ready for some ups and downs in your bankroll!
Jacks or Better vs. Bonus Poker: Head-to-Head Comparison
Now that you know how each game works, let’s compare them side by side to help you decide which one suits your style.
1. Payouts & Variance
Factor | Jacks or Better | Bonus Poker |
Four Aces | 25x your bet | 80x your bet |
Other Four-of-a-Kind | 25x your bet | 40x (2s-4s), 25x (5s-Kings) |
Full House | 9x your bet | 8x your bet |
Flush | 6x your bet | 5x your bet |
Variance | Low (steady wins) | Medium (bigger swings) |
Verdict:
Jacks or Better has a lower variance, meaning more frequent but smaller wins.Bonus Poker has higher variance, meaning you might experience dry spells, but the potential for huge payouts on four-of-a-kind hands makes it exciting.
2. Return to Player (RTP)
- Full-pay Jacks or Better (9/6) RTP: 99.54%
- Full-pay Bonus Poker (8/5) RTP: 99.17%
Verdict: Jacks or Better has a slightly better return if you play with perfect strategy, but the difference is minimal.
3. Strategy Complexity
- Jacks or Better: Simpler to play, since you just focus on keeping high pairs and strong draws.
- Bonus Poker: Slightly trickier because of the higher payouts for four-of-a-kind, meaning you may need to adjust your strategy.
Verdict: If you want the easiest learning curve, go with Jacks or Better.
4. Best for Beginners?
- Jacks or Better is the best starting point if you’re new to video poker.
- Bonus Poker is still beginner-friendly, but the increased variance means a bigger bankroll is helpful to handle losing streaks.
Which Game Should You Choose?
Pick Jacks or Better If:
- ✅ You prefer consistent, steady wins with lower risk.
- ✅ You’re looking for the best RTP.
- ✅ You want a simple strategy that’s easy to master.
Pick Bonus Poker If:
- ✅ You love the excitement of big payouts for four-of-a-kind hands.
- ✅ You’re okay with higher variance and occasional dry spells.
- ✅ You want a balance between steady wins and jackpot potential.
Bottom Line:
If you’re brand new, start with Jacks or Better. If you want a little more excitement, give Bonus Poker a shot!
| Casino | Bonuses | Editors rating | |||
| 100% to 1000 $ x35 |
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| 125% to 80 $ x35 |
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| 100% to 400 $ x50 |
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Conclusion: Which One Should You Play?
At the end of the day, both Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker are great choices for video poker fans—especially if you’re new to the game. The key difference comes down to risk vs. reward:
- Jacks or Better is the safe, steady choice, perfect for beginners who want a low-variance game with consistent wins.
- Bonus Poker adds more excitement with bigger payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, but you’ll need to handle more ups and downs in your bankroll.
Final Tips for Success
- 🎯 Always check the paytable—look for 9/6 Jacks or Better and 8/5 Bonus Poker for the best odds.
- 🎯 Stick to basic strategy—even small mistakes can cost you money over time.
- 🎯 Bet max coins (5 coins) to unlock the 4,000-coin royal flush jackpot.
- 🎯 Manage your bankroll—Bonus Poker requires a bit more cushion due to its higher variance.
No matter which one you choose, video poker is one of the best games in the casino for smart players. With the right strategy and a little patience, you can get some solid entertainment—and maybe even walk away with a nice win.
Now it’s your turn: Which game do you prefer—Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker? Let us know in the comments! 🎰💰
