Texas Holdem Bonus Strategy
Texas Hold’Em Bonus Simple Strategy (-2.9% EV) Bet Requirements; Pre-Flop: Fold 23o thru 27o, else: 2x bet all others: Flop: Bet two pairs or better, else Bet your pair with any board undercards, else Bet your pair with any draw, else Bet bottom pair unless board suited, else: Bet any combo flush and straight draw, else Bet 5th nut flush draw or better, else. This article shows our strategy for Bonus Poker. The expected return of Bonus Poker is 99.17%. This version of video poker is very popular so this strategy is very handy to learn. The first versions of Video Poker came about at the same time as personal computers in the 1970s. The best strategy when playing Bonus Poker is knowing how to bet and when to bet, all based on what cards you may have and what possible hands you may receive. These include doubling up when there.
This article shows our strategy for Bonus Poker. The expected return of Bonus Poker is 99.17%. This version of video poker is very popular so this strategy is very handy to learn.
Introduction
The first versions of Video Poker came about at the same time as personal computers in the 1970s. These were very basic however and offered only a couple of versions, nothing like what is available now. Video Poker has grown since then to become one of the most played games in casinos as it offers players the chance of solitude as well as some nice wins, especially if the holy grail of poker hands the Royal flush comes in.
Bonus Poker Rules
Bonus Poker is a version of Video Poker that is very similar to Jacks or Better.
In fact, the only difference is that in Bonus Poker you get better payouts for Four of a Kind.
So, to start you need to choose your stake, then you are dealt 5 cards from a standard 52 card deck. At this point, you can hold or discard each card. Any you discard are then replaced by other cards from the same deck. You are then paid out based on the strength of your hand. You aren’t playing against a dealer or other players, so if your hand is a Pair of Jacks or better, you get paid. It’s that simple!
You still get a payout for a pair of Jacks or better as the screenshot below demonstrates.
As you will see above, Four of a Kind Aces pays out significantly more than a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind 2’s, 3’s or 4’s pay slightly more than a Straight Flush whilst any other Four of a Kind – 5’s through to Kings – pay the same as a Straight Flush. As with most versions of Video Poker, playing with 5 coins increases the jackpot for a Royal Flush significantly.
Paytable and Odds
The table below outlines the payout for each hand, the number of possibilities for each hand and the probability of each coming in.
| Hand | Payout (with 5 coins) | Combinations | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 | 495443136 | 0.000025 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 2129604264 | 0.000107 |
| 4 of a Kind Aces | 800 | 3903775812 | 0.000196 |
| 4 of a Kind 2’s to 4’s | 400 | 10509866328 | 0.000527 |
| 4 of a Kind 5’s to K’s | 250 | 32688417336 | 0.001640 |
| Full House | 45 | 229516869924 | 0.011514 |
| Flush | 35 | 216873645000 | 0.010880 |
| Straight | 25 | 223676319912 | 0.011221 |
| 3 of a Kind | 15 | 1484391167856 | 0.074468 |
| 2 Pair | 5 | 2577523603752 | 0.129308 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 | 4290810981444 | 0.215259 |
| Nothing | 0 | 10860710822436 | 0.544855 |
| Total | 19933230517200 | 1.000000 |
Texas Hold'em Bonus Strategy
Bonus Poker Strategy
The strategy shown below gives you the best chance of getting a payout with Bonus Poker. As there are many variations of Video Poker and each has a slightly different strategy, make sure it is Bonus Poker you are playing before referring to it.
Start at the top of the table, working your way down until you find a hand that is relevant for the initial 5 cards you are dealt with. When you come across your hand, follow the instructions for the best chance to win.
Bonus Poker has an expected return of around 99.17% which makes it not a bad game to play from a payout perspective.
Best to Worst Hands
| Order | Hand |
|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush |
| 2 | Straight Flush |
| 3 | Four of a Kind |
| 4 | 4 of a Royal Flush |
| 5 | Full House |
| 6 | Flush |
| 7 | Three of a Kind |
| 8 | Straight |
| 9 | 4 of a Straight Flush |
| 10 | Two Pair |
| 11 | High Pair |
| 12 | 3 of a Royal Flush |
| 13 | 4 of a Flush |
| 14 | Unsuited 10, J, Q, K |
| 15 | Low Pair |
| 16 | 4 of an Outside Straight |
| 17 | 3 of a Straight Flush |
| 18 | Suited J, Q |
| 19 | 4 of an Inside Straight |
| 20 | Suited J, Q or J, K |
| 21 | Suited A,K A,Q or A,J |
| 22 | Unsuited J,Q,K |
| 23 | Unsuited J,Q |
| 24 | Suited 10,J |
| 25 | 2 Unsuited High Cards, K High |
| 26 | Suited 10, Q |
| 27 | 2 Unsuited High Card, A High |
| 28 | J only |
| 29 | Suited 10,K |
| 30 | Q only |
| 31 | K only |
| 32 | A only |
| 33 | Garbage, discard everything |
Outside Straight is a hand that needs a card at either end – e.g. 5, 6, 7, 8 – either a 4 or 9 would complete the Straight.
Inside Straight is a hand that needs a card in the middle – e.g. 3, 4, 6, 7 – only a 5 would complete the Straight.
This is meant as a guide only but if followed correctly it will give you the best chance of winning the session.
Related Articles:
Advanced Video Poker Strategy
How To Play Joker’s Wild Poker
Play Video Poker for Reall
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On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I discovered the game Texas Hold'em Bonus (for whatever reason I had not seen this game before) at the Linq. I played a couple times, with no success, trying to figure out the best way to play the game. What I discovered is everyone plays the same way. They play the Ante and the bonus, plus most pre-populate the Flop bet (double the ante) because everyone plays every hand and bets the Flop anyway, and then they play the Turn and the River accordingly.
Since returning home, I have been reading about the game and playing on simulators to see if someone had posted an optimal strategy. The advice is basically don't play hands with a 2/3 through 2/7 unsuited, but no betting advice. I came up with the following theory: By playing the game without making the Bonus bet, which you need a pair, or an Ace and a Face card to win, it appears to me to be a 50/50 game: the Player's hand vs. the Dealer's Hand. Obviously, I am missing something. There is no way a casino is going to let me sit down and play with no house advantage.
Any help on what I am missing?
I am heading back to Las Vegas at the end of the month, and I plan on giving this a try.
Thanks!
https://wizardofodds.com/games/texas-hold-em-bonus/
as far as being close to a 50-50 game, never assume that 'getting a sense' one way or the other would ever be a proper evaluation, not even 'I always win' ... somebody has to do the math
don't assume you can get the right strategy flying by the seat of your pants either; nor should you listen to other players or the dealers
in the link don't miss that many casinos require a 'flush or higher to win even money on the ante' ... that takes it pretty far from that 50-50 and torpedoes the game for me except for maybe a very short session for the heck of it
You're right about 'flying by the seat of my pants' and listening to other players. I shouldn't have played the game without researching it, and listening to the other players is something I don't do. Because I broke the first rule, I ended up breaking this rule too.
That is what I missed!! The player only gets paid on the ante with a straight or better. I knew I was missing something obvious. Thank you!
Texas Holdem Bonus Strategy
you're welcome but it's 'flush or better' that should cause pause. Maybe that's what you meant to say.you're welcome but it's 'flush or better' that should cause pause. Maybe that's what you meant to say.
That's only in AC according to the link. Personally, I've never seen that stipulation anywhere. It's always been straight or better.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em Bonus Strategy
you're welcome but it's 'flush or better' that should cause pause. Maybe that's what you meant to say.
Texas Holdem Bonus Strategy Calculator
When I've seen Texas Hold'em Bonus in Mississippi, the Ante bet has always paid on a straight or better.In return, players decide whether or not to bet on 4th and 5th streets depending on whether or not they have a strong hand. And, with junk (less than 2-8 unsuited) the player can fold, but the Dealer always plays, whether she has good cards or junk.