Video Poker Section

Bwina Bonus Poker – Complete Guide to Rules, Hands & Strategy

Bonus Poker is a popular variant of classic video poker that pays more than standard Jacks-or-Better on certain hands. This section at bwina covers five-card combinations, the best card-holding strategies, and payout tables in detail. Reading through this before you start will make the game feel much more straightforward.

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Game Overview

Bonus Poker & Related Games

Two different poker experiences at bwina — one in video poker format, the other in the classic card table style.

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Bonus Poker

The highest bonus payout goes to a four-of-a-kind hand with Aces. A fan-favourite video poker variant among strategic players.

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Single Deck Pontoon

A special variant of Blackjack played with a single deck, where the main goal is to reach 21 points.

5
Card Hand
52
Deck Cards
10+
Winning Hand Types
800x
Maximum Bonus Multiplier*

* This is a theoretical maximum multiplier example for a standard Bonus Poker game only. Actual payouts are determined by bwina's terms and conditions.

Introduction

What Is Bonus Poker and How Is It Different

Bonus Poker is an enhanced version of Jacks-or-Better video poker. The key difference is that it offers an extra bonus payout for a four-Aces hand — something standard games don't include. It's played on a digital machine, and instead of competing against a dealer, you win based on a fixed payout table.

The game begins with a set wager, after which five cards are dealt at random from a 52-card deck. You decide which cards to keep and which to replace. The payout is determined by the hand you end up with after the second draw — and it's this decision-making moment that makes Bonus Poker a skill-based game.

Full details about this game are available in the Bonus Poker section at bwina. New players should start by understanding the rules, since knowing which cards to hold makes for a more enjoyable gaming experience in the long run.

Another difference between Bonus Poker and classic video poker is that four-of-a-kind hands with cards from 2 through King also earn a bonus payout — though lower than the Aces payout, which remains the highest. This feature adds an extra layer of strategy to the game.

Educational Information

All content on this page is educational. No payout guarantees or promises of specific winnings are made here.

At bwina Casino

Bonus Poker and several other card games are available in bwina's casino section. To explore more, bwina Casino Go to page.

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Hand Overview

Hand Rankings & Payouts in Bonus Poker

The hands in Bonus Poker are listed below from highest to lowest payout. Knowing each hand and its value makes it easier to decide which cards to hold.

1
Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit — five cards. This is the highest possible hand and carries the highest payout.
Maximum
2
Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit (excluding a Royal Flush). For example: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the same suit.
High
3
Four Aces
Four Aces plus any fifth card. In Bonus Poker, this hand earns a special bonus payout.
Bonus
4
Four 2s, 3s, or 4s
Four 2s, 3s, or 4s. This hand also qualifies for an additional bonus payout in Bonus Poker.
Bonus
5
Four 5s through Ks
Four of the same card (5 through K). A standard Four of a Kind hand, but with a lower payout than Four Aces.
High
6
Full House
Three of a kind plus a pair, making five cards in total. Example: three Ks and two 7s.
Medium
7
Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, not necessarily in sequence. The suit can be Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, or Clubs.
Medium
8
Straight
Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. Example: 5 of Hearts, 6 of Spades, 7 of Diamonds, 8 of Clubs, 9 of Hearts.
Medium
9
Three of a Kind
Three matching cards and two unrelated cards. Example: three Qs and two different cards.
Low
10
Two Pair
Two different pairs and one unrelated card. Example: two Js, two 8s, and one side card.
Low
11
Jacks or Better
Any pair of J, Q, K, or A. This is the minimum winning hand and pays back equal to your bet.
1:1

The payout breakdown above is provided for educational purposes only. Actual payouts are determined by the payout table on the bwina platform.

Payout Comparison

Bonus Poker vs. Jacks-or-Better — Payout Differences

The table below shows the payout differences between Bonus Poker and standard Jacks-or-Better. Take a look to see how much each hand varies between the two.

Hand Name Jacks or Better Bonus Poker Difference
Royal Flush 800x 800x Equal
Straight Flush 50x 50x Equal
Four Aces 25x 80x +55x Bonus
Four 2s, 3s, or 4s 25x 40x +15x Bonus
Four 5s through Ks 25x 25x Equal
Full House 9x 8x -1x Less
Flush 6x 5x -1x Less
Straight 4x 4x Equal
Three of a Kind 3x 3x Equal
Two Pair 2x 2x Equal
Jacks or Better 1x 1x Equal

The multipliers above are general reference examples. Actual payouts at bwina are shown on the game table and may vary.

Game Rules

How to Play Bonus Poker

Each round of Bonus Poker is completed in just a few steps. Understanding what happens at each stage makes it much easier to get started.

A♥
K♠
Q♦
J♣
7♥

Example first hand: A, K, Q, J can be held while swapping the 7.

Place Your Bet

Set your bet amount before the game begins. You can usually wager between 1 and 5 coins. Playing at five coins gives you the highest possible Royal Flush payout.

Receive Your First 5 Cards

Clicking the Deal button randomly deals five cards from a 52-card deck. All five cards are clearly visible.

Hold Decision

From your five cards, select which ones to Hold. The rest will be replaced with new cards. This is the most important decision in the game.

Second Draw

Clicking the Draw button replaces all non-held cards with new ones. This is where your final hand is formed.

Results & Payouts

Your final five-card hand is compared against the payout table. If it's a winning hand, the corresponding payout is credited to your account.

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Strategy Tips

Card-Holding Strategy in Bonus Poker

In Bonus Poker, knowing which cards to hold makes a significant difference over the long run. Below are some commonly accepted strategic principles.

Ace

Hold Aces Separately

Since Four Aces carry the highest bonus payout in Bonus Poker, holding on to any Ace you receive is almost always the right call.

Royal

Royal Flush Draw

If you can complete a Royal Flush with 4 cards, it may be worth holding those four cards even if it means breaking an existing flush or straight.

3+

Three of a Kind or Better

If you already hold a three-of-a-kind or better, breaking it up to chase a new hand is generally not advisable.

J+

High Card Pair

If you hold a pair of J, Q, K, or A, keep it. That pair already guarantees a Jacks-or-Better hand.

Flush

Four-Card Flush

If you have four cards of the same suit, you may consider swapping the fifth to complete a Flush — but avoid breaking up a pair to do so.

Low

Replace a Weak Hand Entirely

If your hand has no pair or strong draw potential, discarding all five cards for a fresh deal can be a reasonable move.

Keep in Mind

The strategies above are general guidelines only. In Bonus Poker, every hand presents a unique situation, and the best decision depends on the specific cards you are dealt. These strategies do not guarantee a win.

Variant Overview

Variants in the Bonus Poker Family

Alongside standard Bonus Poker, there are several other popular video poker variants available. Knowing the key features of each makes it easier to choose the right game for you.

Jacks or Better

  • The Most Straightforward Video Poker
  • Minimum win with a J+ pair
  • No Special Bonus
  • Suitable for Beginners
  • Rules Are Easy to Learn from the Start

Double Bonus Poker

  • Bigger Bonuses in Bonus Poker
  • Higher Payouts on Four Aces
  • Lower Payout on Full House/Flush
  • A Favourite Among Experienced Players
  • Higher variance potential

Deuces Wild

  • All 2 cards act as wild cards
  • Can substitute for any card
  • Minimum hand is Three of a Kind
  • Entirely Different Strategy
  • Unique Gameplay Experience
Terminology

Key Bonus Poker Terminology

A number of English terms come up regularly when playing Bonus Poker. Getting familiar with them will make the game feel much easier to follow.

Hold
From your initial five cards, tap Hold on any card you want to keep. Those cards will remain unchanged in the second draw.
Draw
The process of discarding non-held cards and drawing new ones. Clicking the Draw button deals your second hand.
Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit — the highest possible hand, carrying the highest payout.
Wild Card
A card that can substitute for any other card. The standard version of Bonus Poker has no wild cards.
Payout Table
A table showing how much each hand pays out. Make sure to read it before you start playing.
Max Bet
The maximum bet amount. Playing with five coins typically results in a significantly larger Royal Flush payout.
Suit
The four card suits — Hearts (♥), Spades (♠), Diamonds (♦), and Clubs (♣). A flush requires all five cards to be of the same suit.
RTP
Return to Player, or RTP — the theoretical percentage of wagers a game pays back to players over the long run.
Kicker
In a four-of-a-kind hand, the fifth card is called the Kicker. In some Bonus Poker variants, the bonus payout varies depending on the Kicker.
Full House
A combination of three matching cards and two matching cards. Example: three Ks and two 7s.
Practical Tips

What to Know Before Playing Bonus Poker at bwina

Keeping these points in mind before you start playing can make for a better overall gaming experience.

Read the Payout Table First
Set Your Budget in Advance
Set Time Limits for Your Sessions
Ensure a Stable Internet Connection
Avoid Logging In on Public WiFi
Don't Raise Your Bets Without Understanding the Rules
Stop Chasing Your Losses
Keep Your Account Secure
Comparative Overview

Bonus Poker vs Single Deck Pontoon

Bwina features two popular card games — Bonus Poker and Single Deck Pontoon. Understanding the key differences between them will help you decide which one suits you better.

Bonus Poker

  • You play against the machine, not against a dealer.
  • The main objective is to form a five-card hand.
  • Strategy plays a bigger role in deciding which cards to hold.
  • A special bonus payout is awarded for four Aces.
  • Each round is independent — previous rounds have no effect on the current one.
  • The payout table is fixed and can be reviewed before you play.

Single Deck Pontoon

  • Played directly against the dealer.
  • The main goal is to keep your total points at or close to 21.
  • With only one deck in play, card counting is a possibility.
  • Pontoon and Five-Card Trick are the highest-paying hands.
  • Hit, Stick, Buy, and Split – four actions are available.
  • With the dealer's card face down, decisions become more challenging.
Learn More About Single Deck Pontoon →

Privacy Policy – Your Information Is Secure

When you play at bwina, your personal information, transaction records, and gaming history are kept secure. SSL encryption is used and your data is never shared with third parties. For more details, see our Privacy Policy View page.

Important

Responsible Gaming – Applies to Bonus Poker Too

Bonus Poker is an enjoyable game, but it should be played purely for entertainment. Please follow the guidelines below.

Set a Budget

Set a spending limit for each session before you play, and stick to it.

Time Limit

Long sessions weaken your focus and decision-making.

Minor

Make sure no one under the age of 18 can access your account.

Take a Break

Don't chase your losses by playing repeatedly. Know when to stop.

Get Help

Responsible Gaming Detailed instructions are available on the page.

Q&A

Bonus Poker FAQs

Start by clearing your browser cache and trying again. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data to remove cached files. If you're using the mobile app, install the latest update from the app store. An outdated browser can also cause issues — keep Chrome or Firefox updated to the latest version. Try restarting your internet connection as well. If the problem persists, bwina Login Try logging in to your account on the page, or reach out through the support section of the account portal.

To Account Login , you will typically find a section called "Account History", "Transaction History", or "Game History". This is where your game records and transaction details are stored. The date, bet amount, and outcome of each session are logged there. If you cannot find records for a specific date, use the filter to set a date range. If you have any doubts, contact bwina's Terms & Conditions View account management information on this page.
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Bonus Poker

Discover Bonus Poker at bwina

Understanding the rules and strategy of Bonus Poker makes the game far more enjoyable. Head to the casino section at bwina today and experience this unique take on card games.

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