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Triple Double Bonus Poker Strategy: Complete Guide to Optimal Play
Picture this: You're dealt A♠ A♥ A♦ 3♣ 9♠. Most players would keep the three Aces and toss both the 3 and the 9 without thinking twice.
But in Triple Double Bonus poker, that 3♣ could be worth 4,000 coins.
Here's why: if you hold the three Aces and that 3♣ kicker, you only need one more Ace to complete Four Aces with a 2/3/4 kicker — the top-paying hand in the game. Even without the fourth Ace, keeping the kicker gives you a shot at the 800-coin jackpot if you draw the Ace.
This single decision — knowing when to hold a kicker — separates break-even TDB players from losing ones. And it's just the tip of the iceberg.
By the end of this guide, you'll know the complete 50-position strategy, understand every kicker combination, and have an interactive trainer to drill optimal play until it's second nature.
TL;DR — Quick Strategy Reference
No time for the deep dive? Here are the 10 most important rules:
| Priority | Hand | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | Hold all 5 — duh |
| 2 | Four Aces + 2/3/4 kicker | Hold all 5 (800 coins!) |
| 3 | Four 2s/3s/4s + A/2/3/4 kicker | Hold all 5 (400 coins!) |
| 4 | Any Four of a Kind | Hold all 5 |
| 5 | 4 to Royal Flush | Hold 4, draw 1 |
| 6 | Three Aces | Hold 3 + any kicker (A/2/3/4), draw rest |
| 7 | Straight Flush | Hold all 5 |
| 8 | Three 2s/3s/4s | Hold 3 + any valid kicker, draw rest |
| 9 | Full House (no 3 Aces) | Hold all 5 |
| 10 | Flush | Hold all 5 |
The golden rule: In TDB, three Aces beat a full house in expected value. That's the #1 thing competitors don't teach you.
Now let's understand why this works — and the 40 other decisions you need to master.
What Is Triple Double Bonus Poker?
Triple Double Bonus (TDB) is the most aggressive member of the video poker bonus family. Think of it as Jacks or Better on steroids — with the payout structure cranked to extreme levels for four-of-a-kind hands.
Here's how TDB fits into the family tree:
| Feature | Jacks or Better | Double Double Bonus | Triple Double Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min paying hand | Jacks or Better | Jacks or Better | Jacks or Better |
| Four Aces + kicker | 800 (same as any quad) | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Four 2s-4s + kicker | 800 | 800 | 2,000 |
| Four 5s-Ks | 125-250 | 250 | 250 |
| Full House (9/7) | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| RTP (best table) | 99.54% | 98.98% | 99.58% |
| Variance | Low (19) | High (42) | Very High (98) |
The pattern is clear: TDB concentrates more of its return into rare, massive payouts. You'll lose small pots more often but occasionally hit monster hands. That's why strategy matters more here than in any other common video poker game.
Use our RTP Calculator to see how different pay tables affect your expected return per session. You can also check the volatility calculator to visualize TDB's wild swings compared to Jacks or Better.
Pay Tables: Know What You're Playing
Not all TDB machines are created equal. The difference between the best and worst pay table is over 3.5% in RTP — that's $175 per hour on a $5,000/hour action rate.
Here are the four pay tables you'll encounter:
| Hand | 9/7 (Best) | 9/6 | 8/5 | 7/5 (Worst) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| 4 Aces + 2/3/4 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| 4 2s/3s/4s + A-4 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| 4 Aces | 160 | 160 | 160 | 160 |
| 4 2s/3s/4s | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| 4 5s-Ks | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Full House | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Flush | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTP | 99.58% | 98.15% | 96.79% | 95.97% |
Triple Double Bonus Pay Table Comparison
RTP comparison for the four common TDB pay tables with optimal strategy
The 9/7 pay table is the only TDB variant worth playing seriously. The house edge is just 0.42% with optimal strategy — comparable to the best blackjack tables.
With a 3-4% house edge, these tables turn Triple Double Bonus from a skill game into a slot machine. Always check Full House/Flush payouts before sitting down.
Pro Tip: Look at the Full House and Flush payouts first. 9/7 = play, 9/6 = acceptable, anything lower = walk away. A single unit difference in flush payout changes RTP by over 1%.
How to spot the pay table: Look at the Full House and Flush payouts. If you see 9/7, you've found the best table. If you see 7/5, walk away — you're giving up almost 4% in edge. Use our House Edge Calculator to see exactly how much that costs you per hour.
The Kicker: TDB's Secret Weapon
The kicker mechanic is what makes Triple Double Bonus unique — and what trips up most players. Here's the complete kicker reference:
Kicker Reference Card
| Four of a Kind | Kicker Card | Payout (5 coins) | Without Kicker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Aces | 2, 3, or 4 | 4,000 | 800 |
| 4 Twos | A, 2, 3, or 4 | 2,000 | 400 |
| 4 Threes | A, 2, 3, or 4 | 2,000 | 400 |
| 4 Fours | A, 2, 3, or 4 | 2,000 | 400 |
| 4 Fives thru Kings | None | 250 | 250 |
Key insight: Kickers only matter for Aces and low cards (2s, 3s, 4s). For any quad 5 or higher, the fifth card is irrelevant.
3 Kicker Examples That Will Save You Money
Example 1: The obvious one Hand: A♠ A♥ A♦ A♣ 3♠ → Hold all 5! Four Aces + kicker 3 = 4,000 coins.
Example 2: The one players miss Hand: A♠ A♥ A♦ 2♣ J♠ → Hold A♠ A♥ A♦ and 2♣. Discard only J♠. Why? That 2♣ is a valid kicker. If you draw the fourth Ace, you get 4,000 instead of 800. The 2♣ costs you almost nothing to hold.
Example 3: The trap Hand: A♠ A♥ A♦ 7♣ 9♠ → Hold only A♠ A♥ A♦. Draw 2 cards. Why? Neither 7 nor 9 is a valid kicker for Aces. Holding either one wastes a draw slot. You want two chances to pull a 2, 3, 4, or another Ace.
Complete Strategy Chart: The 50-Position Priority List
This is the core of Triple Double Bonus strategy. When you're dealt a hand, scan from top to bottom — the first match is your play.
Tier 1: Pat Hands (Never Break These)
| # | Hand | Action | Coins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | Hold all 5 | 4,000 |
| 2 | Four Aces + 2/3/4 kicker | Hold all 5 | 4,000 |
| 3 | Four 2s/3s/4s + A/2/3/4 kicker | Hold all 5 | 2,000 |
| 4 | Straight Flush | Hold all 5 | 250 |
| 5 | Four Aces (no kicker) | Hold all 5 | 800 |
| 6 | Four 2s/3s/4s (no kicker) | Hold all 5 | 400 |
| 7 | Four 5s-Ks | Hold all 5 | 250 |
Tier 2: Strong Draws (Break Weaker Pat Hands)
| # | Hand | Action | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 4 to Royal Flush | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~93.6 |
| 9 | Three Aces + kicker (A/2/3/4) | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~10.79 |
| 10 | Three Aces (no kicker) | Hold 3, draw 2 | ~10.79 |
| 11 | Full House | Hold all 5 | 9.00 |
| 12 | Flush | Hold all 5 | 7.00 |
| 13 | Three 2s/3s/4s + kicker (A/2/3/4) | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~6.12 |
| 14 | Straight | Hold all 5 | 4.00 |
| 15 | Three 2s/3s/4s (no kicker) | Hold 3, draw 2 | ~5.88 |
| 16 | Three 5s-Ks | Hold 3, draw 2 | ~4.37 |
Notice that Three Aces (#10) ranks above Full House (#11). This is the most counterintuitive play in TDB and the one most players get wrong.
Tier 3: Four-Card Draws
| # | Hand | Action | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 4 to Straight Flush | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~3.83 |
| 18 | Two Pair | Hold both pairs, draw 1 | ~2.60 |
| 19 | Pair of Aces | Hold pair + kicker if A/2/3/4, draw rest | ~2.55 |
| 20 | 4 to Flush | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~1.89 |
| 21 | Pair of 2s/3s/4s | Hold pair, draw 3 | ~1.62 |
| 22 | 3 to Royal Flush | Hold 3, draw 2 | ~1.60 |
Tier 4: Medium-Strength Holdings
| # | Hand | Action | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Pair of Jacks-Kings | Hold pair, draw 3 | ~1.55 |
| 24 | 4 to Outside Straight | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~1.45 |
| 25 | Pair of 5s-10s | Hold pair, draw 3 | ~1.33 |
| 26 | 3 to Straight Flush | Hold 3, draw 2 | ~1.18 |
| 27 | AKQJ unsuited | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~1.10 |
Tier 5: Weak Holdings
| # | Hand | Action | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 4 to Inside Straight (3+ high) | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~1.06 |
| 29 | Suited JQ/JK/QK | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.94 |
| 30 | Suited J10/Q10/K10 | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.88 |
| 31 | Pair of Aces alone (no kicker) | Hold pair, draw 3 | ~2.55 |
| 32 | Unsuited JQK (3 high cards) | Hold 3, draw 2 | ~0.84 |
| 33 | Suited A + low (A2/A3/A4/A5) | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.83 |
| 34 | JJ-KK (high pair) | Hold pair, draw 3 | ~1.55 |
| 35 | Unsuited JQ/JK/QK | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.80 |
| 36 | Suited Ace + 10/J/Q/K | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.79 |
| 37 | 4 to Inside Straight (1-2 high) | Hold 4, draw 1 | ~0.74 |
| 38 | Unsuited J10/Q10/K10 | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.72 |
| 39 | Single Ace | Hold 1, draw 4 | ~0.71 |
Tier 6: Last Resort
| # | Hand | Action | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Suited 910/9J/9Q/9K | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.62 |
| 41 | Single Jack/Queen/King | Hold 1, draw 4 | ~0.59 |
| 42 | Suited 89/78/67 | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.54 |
| 43 | Suited 56/45 | Hold 2, draw 3 | ~0.48 |
| 44 | Single 2/3/4 | Hold 1, draw 4 | ~0.47 |
| 45 | Nothing (garbage) | Draw all 5 | ~0.36 |
Pro tip: When in doubt, hold higher-ranked cards. An Ace is always worth keeping. A 2, 3, or 4 is worth keeping only when you have a pair or trips of a kicker-eligible rank.
When to Break Strong Hands: The Full House Dilemma
This is the most important strategic concept in Triple Double Bonus, and no other guide explains it properly.
The situation: You have A♠ A♥ A♦ K♣ K♠ — a full house paying 9 coins (guaranteed).
The question: Should you break it to chase four Aces?
The math:
In plain English: multiply each possible outcome by its probability and payout, then add them up.
When you hold three Aces and draw two cards:
- Chance of 4 Aces + kicker: ~0.26% → worth ~2.08 coins
- Chance of 4 Aces (no kicker): ~0.43% → worth ~0.69 coins
- Chance of Full House: ~6.12% → worth ~0.55 coins
- Chance of Three Aces: ~93.19% → worth ~1.86 coins
- Total EV: ~10.79 coins
Compare that to the guaranteed 9 coins from the Full House. Breaking it gives you ~1.79 coins more in expected value. That's a 20% improvement.
Simple version: Three Aces have a shot at 4,000 coins. A full house is locked at 9. The upside is so massive that it overwhelms the risk.
But remember: This only applies to Aces. Never break a full house with three Kings, Queens, or any other rank — their quad payouts aren't boosted enough to justify it.
Interactive Strategy Trainer
Ready to test your knowledge? Our trainer deals random hands and checks your hold/discard decisions against optimal TDB strategy.
TDB Strategy Trainer
Practice optimal hold/discard decisions for Triple Double Bonus poker
Click Deal to get a random 5-card hand
How to use it: Click cards to toggle HELD status, then hit "Check" to see if your play matches optimal strategy. The trainer tracks your accuracy across the session.
Hand Frequency and Expected Wait Times
Understanding how often each hand appears helps set realistic expectations. Here's what to expect at a pace of 600 hands per hour:
| Hand | Probability | Frequency | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 0.0025% | 1 in 40,388 | ~67 hours |
| Straight Flush | 0.0109% | 1 in 9,148 | ~15 hours |
| 4 Aces + 2/3/4 | 0.0062% | 1 in 16,200 | ~27 hours |
| 4 2s/3s/4s + kicker | 0.0183% | 1 in 5,472 | ~9 hours |
| 4 Aces (no kicker) | 0.0101% | 1 in 9,901 | ~17 hours |
| 4 2s/3s/4s (no kick) | 0.0249% | 1 in 4,016 | ~7 hours |
| 4 5s-Ks | 0.2380% | 1 in 420 | ~42 min |
| Full House | 1.1495% | 1 in 87 | ~9 min |
| Flush | 1.1030% | 1 in 91 | ~9 min |
| Straight | 1.1230% | 1 in 89 | ~9 min |
| Three of a Kind | 7.4426% | 1 in 13 | ~1.3 min |
| Two Pair | 12.2946% | 1 in 8 | ~49 sec |
| Jacks or Better | 21.1685% | 1 in 5 | ~30 sec |
| No win | 55.4079% | — | — |
Reality check: You'll lose more than half your hands. That's normal — see how losing streaks work mathematically (the probability math applies to any casino game). The big payouts on quads and royals make up for it — but only if you play optimal strategy on every single hand.
Check how these probabilities affect your bottom line with our Equity Calculator. You can also use the Outs Calculator to understand drawing probabilities in more detail.
Game Comparison: TDB vs the Competition
Which video poker game is right for you? Here's an honest comparison:
| Factor | Jacks or Better | Double Double Bonus | Triple Double Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best RTP | 99.54% | 98.98% | 99.58% |
| Variance | Low (19.5) | High (41.8) | Very High (98.3) |
| Min Bankroll ($1) | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Medium | Hard |
| Jackpot Potential | Moderate | High | Very High |
| Fun Factor | Steady | Exciting | Rollercoaster |
| Best For | Beginners | Intermediate | Experienced |
Bottom line: TDB has the best theoretical return of the three, but demands the most bankroll and strategy knowledge. If you can't stomach losing 20+ hands in a row (it will happen), stick with Jacks or Better.
Simulate your expected swings with our Variance Simulator to see what those variance numbers actually feel like over 1,000 hands. For a real-world case study in managing high-variance casino play, see how Dana White handles $75K blackjack sessions with a mathematical approach.
5 Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Mistake #1: Discarding Kicker Cards
The error: Dealt A♠ A♥ A♦ 3♣ 7♠ → Player holds only three Aces, discards both.
The fix: Always hold a valid kicker (2, 3, or 4) with three Aces. The 3♣ is your ticket to 4,000 coins. Discard only the 7♠.
Mistake #2: Not Playing Max Coins
The error: Playing 1-3 coins instead of 5 to "save money."
The fix: The Royal Flush bonus for 5 coins (4,000 vs 250×5=1,250) is a huge part of your RTP. If $5/hand is too rich, drop to a lower denomination machine but always max bet. Use our Bankroll Calculator to find the right denomination.
Mistake #3: Keeping Full House with Three Aces
The error: Dealt A♠ A♥ A♦ 9♣ 9♠ → Player keeps the guaranteed 9-coin full house.
The fix: Break it. Three Aces have an EV of ~10.79 coins vs the locked-in 9. This is the hardest habit to build, but it's worth ~1.79 coins every time it comes up.
Mistake #4: Treating Low Pairs as Junk
The error: Dealt 3♠ 3♥ 7♦ J♣ K♠ → Player holds J♣ K♠ and tosses the threes.
The fix: A pair of 3s has an EV of ~1.62 coins (boosted quad potential!), while J-K unsuited is only ~0.80. Low pairs in TDB are secretly strong because of the kicker bonuses.
Mistake #5: Playing Bad Pay Tables
The error: Sitting at the first TDB machine you see without checking the pay table.
The fix: Always verify Full House/Flush payouts before playing. The jump from 9/7 (99.58%) to 7/5 (95.97%) is 3.61% in RTP — that's the difference between a skill game and a slot machine. Check our Loss Calculator to see the hourly cost.
Bankroll Management for Triple Double Bonus
TDB's extreme variance demands proper bankroll management. Here's what you need by denomination:
| Machine | Max Bet | Minimum Bankroll | Comfortable Bankroll | Outs/Session Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.05 | $0.25 | $75 | $150 | Low |
| $0.25 | $1.25 | $400 | $750 | Medium |
| $0.50 | $2.50 | $750 | $1,500 | Medium-High |
| $1.00 | $5.00 | $1,500 | $3,000 | High |
| $2.00 | $10.00 | $3,000 | $6,000 | Very High |
Session Rules
- Stop-loss: Set a loss limit of 50% of your session bankroll. If you started with $1,500 and hit $750, stop.
- Win goal: When you're up 50% or more, lock in half your profit. Play with the other half.
- Time limit: Cap sessions at 2 hours. Fatigue leads to strategy errors, which cost more in TDB than any other variant.
- Never chase: If you hit your stop-loss, leave. The machine doesn't know or care that you're "due."
Use our Session Simulator to model different bankroll scenarios before you play.
Quick Reference Card
Print this or screenshot it for the casino:
| Priority | Hold | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ A♠ |
| 2 | 4 Aces + 2/3/4 | A♠A♥A♦A♣ + 3♠ |
| 3 | 4 Low + A/2/3/4 | 2♠2♥2♦2♣ + A♥ |
| 4 | Straight Flush | 5♥6♥7♥8♥9♥ |
| 5 | Any Quad | K♠K♥K♦K♣ + x |
| 6 | 4 to Royal | A♠K♠Q♠J♠ + x |
| 7 | Three Aces + kicker | A♠A♥A♦ + 2♣ |
| 8 | Three Aces | A♠A♥A♦ + x x |
| 9 | Full House | K♠K♥K♦9♣9♠ |
| 10 | Flush / Straight | 5 same suit / 5 in order |
| 11 | Three 2s/3s/4s | 3♠3♥3♦ + kicker |
| 12 | Three 5s-Ks | Q♠Q♥Q♦ + x x |
| 13 | 4 to Str. Flush | 6♥7♥8♥9♥ + x |
| 14 | Two Pair | K♠K♥ 7♦7♣ + x |
| 15 | High Pair (J+) | J♠J♥ + x x x |
Remember: Scan from top to bottom. First match = your play.
For a more detailed look at the math behind each position, check our Pot Odds Calculator — the EV concepts are directly transferable.
FAQ
The FAQ section is rendered from the structured data in this article's metadata. Check the top of the page for answers to 15 common questions about Triple Double Bonus strategy.
Final Thoughts
Triple Double Bonus poker is the thinking player's video poker game. Yes, it's more volatile than Jacks or Better. Yes, the strategy is more complex. But with a 99.58% RTP on the best pay table, it rewards you for every correct decision more than almost any other casino game.
The three things to remember:
- Find the 9/7 pay table — everything else is a bad deal
- Break a full house for three Aces — the math says yes, every time
- Hold your kickers — that random 3♣ could be the most valuable card in your hand
Practice with our interactive trainer until you're making correct decisions 95%+ of the time. Then find a 9/7 machine, bet max coins, and play your edge.
Related tools and guides:
- House Edge Calculator — Compare house edge across games
- RTP Calculator — Calculate your expected return
- Equity Calculator — Analyze hand equity and EV
- Variance Simulator — Model your session swings
- Bankroll Calculator — Plan your bankroll by denomination
- Loss Calculator — See the hourly cost of different games
- Pot Odds Calculator — Master EV concepts
- Outs Calculator — Understand drawing probabilities
- Mississippi Stud Strategy — Another bonus poker strategy guide
- Fibonacci Betting System — Session management approach
- Labouchere Betting System — Structured betting strategy
- Volatility Calculator — Compare game volatility visually
- 3 Shot Poker Rules & Strategy — Another casino poker variant
- Cajun Stud Poker guide — Mississippi Stud variant with three side bets
- Understanding pot commitment — SPR guide and calculator for commitment decisions
- How to play Irish Poker — The classic drinking card game with 4 rounds and ride the bus
Frequently Asked Questions
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Evgeny Volkov
Verified ExpertOver 10 years developing software for the gaming industry. Advanced degree in Mathematics. Specializing in probability analysis, RNG algorithms, and mathematical gambling models.