Double Double Bonus Poker Calculator: When Kickers Pay Big

Double Double Bonus Poker takes Bonus Poker further—not only do quad values matter, but the fifth card (kicker) affects payouts too. Quad aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays a massive 2000 coins. Our calculator shows optimal strategy for this high-volatility favorite.

What Is Double Double Bonus Poker?

Double Double Bonus Poker enhances four-of-a-kind payouts based on both the quad rank and the kicker card. Four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays 2000 coins (400:1). Four 2s/3s/4s with an A-4 kicker pays 800 coins. This creates the highest-variance common video poker game.

Quick Answer: Double Double Bonus = quad payouts depend on kicker. Quad Aces + 2/3/4 kicker: 2000 coins (400:1). Quad 2-3-4 + A-4 kicker: 800 coins (160:1). Very high variance. Full pay (9/6): 98.98% return. Strategy: hold low kickers with aces. Most complex VP strategy. Premium hands are rare but huge.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Double Double Bonus Calculator →

Calculate optimal holds with kicker considerations.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Your Hand: Five cards dealt

2. Identify Potential Kickers: 2, 3, or 4

3. View Optimal Hold: Best cards to keep

4. Check Kicker Strategy: When to keep low cards

5. Calculate EV: Expected return

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Your Hand	Five cards	A♠ A♦ 3♣ 7♥ K♠
Quad Potential	Four-of-kind chance	Aces
Kicker Present	2, 3, or 4	Yes (3)
Optimal Hold	Best keep	A♠ A♦ 3♣
Kicker EV Boost	Added value	+0.02
Return Rate	Machine RTP	98.98%

Pay Table Structure

Full Pay Double Double Bonus (9/6)

Hand                      | Coins (5-coin max)
--------------------------|-------------------
Natural Royal             | 4000 (800:1)
4 Aces + 2/3/4           | 2000 (400:1)
4 2s/3s/4s + A-4         | 800 (160:1)
4 Aces                    | 800 (160:1)
4 2s/3s/4s               | 400 (80:1)
4 5s-Ks                  | 250 (50:1)
Full House               | 45 (9:1)
Flush                    | 30 (6:1)
Straight                 | 20 (4:1)
Three of a Kind          | 15 (3:1)
Two Pair                 | 5 (1:1)
Jacks or Better          | 5 (1:1)

Return: 98.98%

Kicker Breakdown

Kicker impact on quads:

Four Aces:
+ 2/3/4 kicker: 2000 coins
+ 5-K kicker: 800 coins
Difference: 1200 coins!

Four 2s/3s/4s:
+ A/2/3/4 kicker: 800 coins
+ 5-K kicker: 400 coins
Difference: 400 coins!

Kickers matter enormously

vs Regular Double Bonus

Comparison:

Double Bonus:
4 Aces: 800 coins
4 2-4: 400 coins
No kicker bonus

Double Double Bonus:
4 Aces + kicker: 2000 coins
4 2-4 + kicker: 800 coins
Kicker adds massive value

Kicker Strategy

The Kicker Principle

Core strategy change:

With pair of aces + 2/3/4:
Hold the kicker!

Example:
A♠ A♦ 3♣ 7♥ K♠

Standard play: Hold AA
DDB play: Hold AA + 3

Why?
If you draw AA:
With kicker: 2000 coins
Without kicker: 800 coins

When to Hold Kickers

Kicker holds:

AA + 2/3/4: HOLD kicker
Worth the reduced draws

22/33/44 + A/2/3/4: HOLD kicker
Same concept applies

Other pairs: Normal strategy
No kicker bonus

Kicker Math

Probability calculation:

Holding AA vs AA+3:

Hold AA (draw 3):
4-Aces chance: 1 in 5,525
Expected kicker: ~23% have 2/3/4
Expected value: 0.000181 × 1,200 = 0.22

Hold AA+3 (draw 2):
4-Aces chance: 1 in 1,081
Always have kicker
Expected value: 0.000925 × 2,000 = 1.85

Holding kicker: Much better
Despite fewer draws

Complete Strategy

High Pair Strategy

Aces with kicker present:
AA + 2: Hold AA2
AA + 3: Hold AA3
AA + 4: Hold AA4
AA + 5-K: Hold AA only

Low pairs (2/3/4) with kicker:
22 + A: Hold 22A
22 + 3: Hold 223
22 + 4: Hold 224
33, 44 same concept

Breaking Hands for Kickers

Controversial plays:

Two pair AA + 33:
Hold AA + 3 (kicker!)
Break the two pair

Why?
Two pair pays 5 coins
AA + kicker quad potential
Worth more EV

Flush/Straight Considerations

Made hands vs kicker draws:

Flush made: Usually hold flush
Except with AA + kicker in hand

Straight made: Usually hold straight
Unless AA + kicker present

AA + 2/3/4 is powerful
Can override made hands

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Premium Kicker Hold

The classic DDB decision:

Hand: A♠ A♦ 3♣ 7♥ K♠

Standard Bonus Poker:
Hold: A♠ A♦
Draw: 3 cards

Double Double Bonus:
Hold: A♠ A♦ 3♣
Draw: 2 cards

If you hit AAAA:
With 3: 2000 coins
Without 3: 800 coins

Hold the kicker!

Example 2: Breaking Two Pair

Counterintuitive play:

Hand: A♠ A♦ 4♣ 4♥ K♠

Normal play:
Hold two pair (AA + 44)
Pays 5 coins guaranteed

DDB optimal play:
Hold: A♠ A♦ 4♣
Break the two pair!

Why?
AA+4 kicker potential
Worth more than 5-coin lock

Controversial but correct

Example 3: Low Quad with Kicker

2-3-4 bonus in action:

Hand: 2♠ 2♦ 2♣ 4♥ K♠

Already have: Trips (15 coins)
Kicker 4 present!

Hold: 2♠ 2♦ 2♣ 4♥
Draw: 1 card

If fourth 2:
With 4 kicker: 800 coins
Without: 400 coins

Massive kicker value

Example 4: The Big Hit

Maximum payout scenario:

Initial: A♠ A♦ 3♣ 7♥ K♠
Held: A♠ A♦ 3♣
Drew: A♥ A♣

FOUR ACES WITH 3 KICKER!

5-coin bet: 2000 coins win
($1.25 bet = $500 win!)

vs no kicker: 800 coins
Kicker added: 1200 coins

Life-changing swing

Variance Analysis

Extremely High Volatility

Variance comparison:

Jacks or Better: Low
Double Bonus: High
Double Double Bonus: VERY HIGH

Most volatile common VP:
- Rare premium hands
- Huge jackpots
- Long dry spells

Bankroll Requirements

Session recommendations:

Minimum: 100× max bet
Comfortable: 200× max bet

$1 machines (5-coin max):
Minimum: $500 session roll
Comfortable: $1000 session roll

Double JoB requirements!

Win Rate Reality

Winning hand frequency:

About 45% hit some pay
But distribution skewed

Many small wins (pairs)
Occasional medium (trips/FH)
Rare huge (kicker quads)

Prepare for swings

Finding Good Pay Tables

What to Look For

Full pay indicators:

9/6 = full pay (98.98%)
Full house: 9
Flush: 6

Check two pair:
Should pay 1:1 (5 coins)

8/5 = short pay (97.89%)
Avoid if possible

Location Tips

Where to find 9/6:

Higher limit sections
Downtown Vegas (some)
Select online casinos
Fewer locations than before

Worth the search
~1% edge difference

Pay Table Red Flags

Avoid these:

8/5 DDB: 97.89%
7/5 DDB: 96.79%
6/5 DDB: 95.71%

Each step down:
~1% more house edge
Significant over time

Common Mistakes

1. Ignoring Kickers

Mistake: Holding just AA Problem: Missing 1200-coin bonus potential Fix: Hold AA + 2/3/4 together

2. Never Breaking Hands

Mistake: Always keeping two pair Problem: Missing kicker value Fix: Break two pair for AA+kicker

3. Insufficient Bankroll

Mistake: Small session roll Problem: Highest variance VP Fix: 100-200× max bet minimum

4. Wrong Pay Tables

Mistake: Playing 7/5 or worse Problem: 2%+ extra edge Fix: Find 9/6 machines

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a kicker in Double Double Bonus?

The fifth card when you have four-of-a-kind. A 2, 3, or 4 kicker with quad aces adds 1200 coins to the payout. Same concept for quad 2s/3s/4s.

Should I always hold a kicker?

Only with aces or 2s/3s/4s. A kicker with quad 5s-Ks doesn't add any bonus. Only specific quads get kicker bonuses.

Why is DDB so volatile?

The premium hands (quad aces with kicker) are very rare but pay huge (2000 coins). You're essentially playing for big jackpots instead of steady returns.

Is the kicker strategy that important?

Yes! Holding the kicker properly can add 0.5%+ to your return. Many players leave significant value by not understanding kicker holds.

What's the house edge on 9/6 DDB?

About 1.02% (98.98% return). Slightly higher than JoB but much more exciting with kicker bonuses.

How often do kicker quads hit?

Quad aces with proper kicker: about 1 in 80,000 hands. Very rare, but pays 2000 coins—worth chasing.

Pro Tips

• Hold kickers with aces: 2, 3, 4 add 1200 coins

• Break two pair for AA+kicker: EV positive

• Huge variance expected: 100× bankroll minimum

• Find 9/6 machines: Worth the search

• Low pairs with kickers: Same concept applies

Related Calculators

• Double Bonus Poker Calculator - No kicker bonus
• Bonus Poker Calculator - Standard quads
• Jacks or Better Calculator - Lower variance
• Video Poker Odds Calculator - General
• Expected Value Calculator - Bet analysis

Conclusion

Double Double Bonus Poker rewards players who understand kicker strategy—holding that 2, 3, or 4 with your aces can mean 1200 extra coins on quad aces. Our calculator shows when to hold kickers, when to break two pair, and why this high-volatility game requires serious bankroll management.

Calculate Double Double Bonus Odds Now →

Your A♠ A♦ 3♣ 7♥ K♠ hand isn't just a pair of aces—it's a potential 2000-coin jackpot. Our calculator reveals why holding that 3 kicker changes everything in Double Double Bonus Poker.