Hold'em Bonus Poker
How the Game is Played
This game requires some knowledge of poker. See Poker Rules for information.
Casino Etiquette
Optimal Strategy
This game requires some knowledge of poker. See Poker Rules for information.
- At most 6 players at a table, all playing against the dealer
- Each player must place an Ante bet
- Each player is dealt two cards, as is the dealer
- Player looks at cards and decides whether to Bet or Fold
- Three board (community) cards are dealt (The Flop). Everyone can use board cards
- Player decides whether to Bet or Check
- One additional board card is dealt (The Turn)
- Player decides whether to Bet or Check
- One final board card is dealt (The River)
- Objective: Your best possible 5-card hand beats the dealer's best possible 5-card hand
Casino Etiquette
- There is no competition between you and the other players, so don't be afraid to ask them for advice or let them see your cards.
- Make bets by placing chips on the portion of the board that corresponds to your current bet as shown in the Optimal Strategy section
- Keep your extra chips away from the playing portion of the table
- After winning a big pot, it is customary (but not required) to give the dealer a small tip by throwing him/her one of your chips
Optimal Strategy
Decision: Play the Game
In order to receive your two cards, place your chips on the Ante section. The dealer will then deal you the cards. |
Decision: Bet or Fold
Now you look at your cards and decide if you like them enough to see a flop. This decision is very simple: ONLY fold if your cards are:
Otherwise put twice your ante on the "Flop" section of the table. |
Decision: Bet or Check
Now look at the flop and your cards. If you have a pair or better then make the bet. Remember: Place the amount equal to your Ante on the "Turn" section of the table. If not, say "Check." |
Decision: Bet or Check
This is the final decision you have to make. If you have a pair or better then make the bet. Place the amount equal to your Ante on the "River" section of the table. If not, say "Check." |
At the end of the betting, if your best 5-card
hand beats the dealer's best 5-card hand, you win. You get to keep you Ante, and are paid an additional amount equal to how much you bet. how much you bet. See payout table below. In this case, you profit $80 because you bet $80 Say instead you bet $40 preflop, and checked both the preturn and preriver. Then you would only profit $40 because you bet $40 |
Profits for All Possible Betting Totals (Based on $20 Ante)
Betting Total |
$40 (Bet, Check, Check) |
$60 (Bet, Check, Bet) or (Bet, Bet, Check) |
$80 (Bet, Bet, Bet) |
Profit |
$40 |
$60 |
$80 |
Caution:
- Some casinos offer additional options to this game, such as "Trips", which allows you to bet on getting 3 of a kind or better
- NEVER bet on any additional options, as they increase the Casino advantage and decrease your chance of winning
Updated June 3, 2013 - Nathan Lord