Double Double Bonus Poker Calculator: Quad Kicker Strategy (2026)
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
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Enter Your Hand: Five cards dealt
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Identify Potential Kickers: 2, 3, or 4
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View Optimal Hold: Best cards to keep
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Check Kicker Strategy: When to keep low cards
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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
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Hold kickers with aces: 2, 3, 4 add 1200 coins
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Break two pair for AA+kicker: EV positive
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Huge variance expected: 100× bankroll minimum
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Find 9/6 machines: Worth the search
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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.
