How To Play Texas Holdem Bonus Poker


Texas Holdem Bonus Poker is the casino's version of the classic poker game. Traditionally played against one or more other players, in the casino version, it is always played heads-up – the player versus the dealer. The fundamentals of the game are much the same, but the betting structure has its alterations.

Texas Holdem Bonus Poker Game

Texas Holdem Bonus Poker offers the player two bets to start – the required Ante Bet, and an optional Bonus Bet. We'll talk more about the Bonus Bet in a few moments. For now, let's cover the basic game rules.

Hole Cards: With the Ante Bet placed, the player and dealer will each receive two Hole Cards. These are cards that only the person dealt them can see. Based on these two cards, the player will decide whether to place a Flop Bet, double the size of the Ante Bet; or to Fold, ending the hand and sacrificing the Ante Bet.

The Flop: If the Flop Bet is made, the Flop will be dealt. The Flop consists of three Community Cards, each dealt face up to the center of the table. Community Cards are for all players to use in combination with their own Hole Cards. After seeing the Flop, the player may choose to place a Turn Bet, equal to the Ante Bet, or Check, choosing not to bet, but remaining active in the hand.

The Turn: With a Turn Bet made, a fourth Community Card is dealt face-up to the center of the table. Again, the player is given a choice – make a River Bet, equal to the Ante Bet, or Check.

The River: A fifth and final Community Card is dealt face up on the table. The dealer and player will each create the best possible 5-card hand from the 7 cards available to them. The highest ranking hand wins.

Texas Holdem Bonus Poker - Payout Distribution

If the player has the strongest hand, with a Straight or higher, he or she is paid 1:1 on the Ante Bet, Flop Bet, Turn Bet and River Bet.

If the player has the strongest hand, but weaker than a Straight, the Ante Bet is a push, and all other bets are paid 1:1.

If the dealer has the strongest hand, all bets are lost to the dealer.

In the case of a tie, all bets are a push (bets are returned to the player).

Texas Holdem Bonus Poker – Bonus Bet

The Bonus Bet in Texas Holdem Bonus Poker is an optional side bet that can be placed at the start of a hand, alongside the Ante Bet. A Bonus Bet is won or lost based solely on the Hole Cards of the player and dealer. Even if the player chooses to Fold before the Flop, a winning bonus Bet is still paid.

The following Hole Card combination are considered winning Bonus Bets. Their respective payouts are shown below.

A-A (if dealer also has A-A) = 1,000 to 1
A-A = 30 to 1
A-K suited = 25 to 1
A-Q or A-J suited = 20 to 1
A-K offsuit = 15 to 1
K-K, Q-Q or J-J = 10 to 1
A-Q or A-J offsuit = 5 to 1
10-10 through 2-2 = 3 to 1