Anyone play Bonus Deluxe?

[Mr.Dawes]

I have never paid any attention to this game until today. I usually play 0.25 9/5 DDB in Biloxi, my nearest option. The 8/6 version of Bonus Deluxe is about .6 better EV than 9/5 DDB and it has a lower variance. Bonus Deluxe does have a longer Royal cycle however. I like the fact that all quads in Bonus Deluxe pay $100 for a .25 max coin player. When I play DDB and have a day with only 5-K quads it is often a losing day. DDB really seems to require some bonus quads and some kickers to have a good day. So I was wondering if any players here play this game and how they would compare it to DDB.Thanks for any feedback.

[Vman96]

I have on occasion because Aria has 8/6 Bonus Deluxe with Double STP (98.99%) and 9/6 at South Point bartops (99.64%). It's caught on with some of the posters at Vegas Message Board who seem to do well on it. I like it, at least in theory, but it really doesn't like me. I'm quadless on it at the quarter level in Vegas in sporadic play at 8/6 and 9/6. So it sucks away just as bad as DDB when you don't hit quads.

Is 8/6 available in Biloxi?

As for royal cycle, I don't think that's worth worrying about unless you're playing something like deuces or 9/7 Double Bonus where Royals are reduced by 10% or more.

[Mr.Dawes]

I have never looked for the game in Biloxi. However, VPfree says it is available at Boomtown for $1 9/6. Boomtown seems to be really pushing for the $1 VP player. They now offer a lot of 99% plus games. I am hoping that this is the beginning of changes in Biloxi as a result of new competition from the Scarlet PearlOn my next trip I will look for it at the quarter level. My guess is the best chance to find it at the quarter level would be the IP. They recently put in a small bank of machines with a sign saying "Best video poker in Biloxi." These machines feature 9/6 JoB. Also, perhaps a reaction to the Scarlet Pearl.

[alpax]

I play Bonus Poker Deluxe myself as well but not as much as Jacks or Better due to the bankroll requirement of a higher variance game where 2 pairs is even money. I do prefer it over DDB, where you are more focused to go for the Aces.

During the times when I experience a long quad drought on Jacks or Better, I play this in hopes to be more rewarded for quads I try but the last two times has not paid off. On the flip side, I go with Deuces Wild if I had a stretch with lots of quads were hit on Jacks or Better. I was considering playing Bonus Poker Deluxe some more this year.

I think Barnyard Poker is the only gimmick game I would consider outside of single line games, so I might play 8/6 Bonus Deluxe time to time in between Jacks or Better play.

Overall, I think it is good Mr. Dawes that you are bringing up more of the IP and the Scarlett Pearl here. I think FP's account with the Beau Rivage might have given the Biloxi district a worse vibe here than it should. There are decent games for the strictly quarter players, and I'd use the myVegas (mobile game) rewards if I really wanted to stay at Beau Rivage. The average casino in the nation has 9/5 DDB for quarters, so getting something like 8/6 Bonus Deluxe is something I would play.

If you do raise the stakes and play the good $1 games at Boomtown, be sure to remember that Mississippi is a state that taxes gambling winnings without allowing the player to write off their losses. It is at 3% I recall, so your $1 Royal Flushes will be shorted by $120 or 776 for 1 payout.

[DezJeep]

I play Bonus Deluxe on Ultimate X machines and do quite well. I've gotten several W2G's when playing BD Ultimate X in quarter denomination.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Mr Dawes] I have never looked for the game in Biloxi. However, VPfree says it is
available at Boomtown for $1 9/6. Boomtown seems to be really pushing
for the $1 VP player. They now offer a lot of 99% plus games. I am
hoping that this is the beginning of changes in Biloxi as a result of
new competition from the Scarlet Pearl[/quote]I am happy to hear that Biloxi is starting to improve their VP games.  Years ago we made at least 3-4 trips a year to Biloxi and felt like the Beau Rivage was our second home.  When they cut the VP odds to the bone, we stopped going.  We would go back in a NY minute of they would offer quarter players some decent games.  The Hollywood Hard Rock is keeping us at home.  Biloxi needs to be competitive to draw us back.  We miss Biloxi, but can't stomach the feeling they don't want us to play there.

[wildman49]

Bonus Deluxe was one of my favorite games last year. This year I dropped it out since where I play its below 99%, I moved my play this year to only play 99% plus games. Click the link below about one of my trips playing this game using min betting max betting on a 3 of a kind. Love the game.http://forum.videopoker.com/forum/forum ... p?TID=7371

[Vman96]

If you do raise the stakes and play the good $1 games at Boomtown, be sure to remember that Mississippi is a state that taxes gambling winnings without allowing the player to write off their losses. It is at 3% I recall, so your $1 Royal Flushes will be shorted by $120 or 776 for 1 payout.

This also makes playing Bonus Deluxe more desirable though. Only a royal will get taxed with that rough state withholding. Dollar level DDB, Aces with kicker will get taxed too. :( Ive been waiting so long, I shouldn't care what state I get it in, but I would prefer my first handpay to be in Missouri or Nevada.   

[Mr.Dawes]

Alpax and Vman make important points about taxes in Biloxi. Thanks for the feedback.As for Biloxi's reputation with VP, some of it is well earned. I have never been to Tunica, but according to VPfree they have many more options for good paytables. I am certainly not an authority on Biloxi VP because in the past I only played DDB and JoB. However, in the past it was not hard to find the 9/6 versions of both those games at .25. When Margaritaville closed Biloxi lost some good games and the IP dropped 9/6 at the quarter level. Boomtown was so bad that the VPfree listing just said "nothing good". To my knowledge only 9/6 JoB has returned for the quarter player, no 9/6 DDB that I have found. Hopefully the spread on 99+ dollar games at the Scarlet Pearl and Boomtown is just the beginning. I will be making a trip in February and will spend a few hours looking for quarter/.50 Bonus, Bonus Deluxe and Airport Deuces. I will update with what I find. Also, if anyone has any requests for games you would like me to look for feel free to post.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Mr.Dawes]When Margaritaville closed Biloxi lost some good games and the IP dropped 9/6 at the quarter level.[/quote]Good memories.  At one time the Beau Rivage had great video poker.  I can remember playing single line 9/6 Jacks there for days at a time. Margaritaville had some great games and was keeping the other casinos in line.   Sadly when it closed that all went out the window.   The last time we were in Biloxi the Golden Nugget had Airport Deuces in dollars.  We played there most of the time and my wife hit a max coin royal which was greatly appreciated. The IP had a small bank of quarter Airport Deuces, but the machines were old and in bad shape.  I don't understand what's going on in Biloxi.  Wouldn't you rather have good odds with a full casino than no one playing?  I have yet to see anyone in the high limit room for more than 5 minutes.  Maybe it will change and we can get back there soon.  Let's hope so, we loved the place....