Online Casino Games

Texas Hold 'em Bonus Poker

Texas Hold 'em is becoming one of the most popular community poker variants in both live and online casino environments. It has seen several off-shoot games develop one of the most noteworthy being Texas Hold 'em Bonus Poker.

Bonus poker is very similar to straight Texas Hold'em and differs only in subtleties and the inclusion of a bonus bet. The same basic community poker principles apply and the game also uses the standard 52 card deck with winning hands established using standard poker rankings. 

The basic game progress can be described as follows: 

• Before dealing the player makes an ante bet and has the opportunity to make an optional bonus bet.
• The dealer then deals the player and himself two "hole" cards face down. At this point the player may view his or her cards.
• Once the player has check the hole cards they then have to decide on whether to fold or make a "flop" bet. The flop bet is double the ante bet.
• The "flop" or first three community cards are then dealt face up in front of the dealer.
• The player may then opt to take no action or make a "turn" bet. Turn bets must be exactly the same value as the ante bet.
• The "turn" or fourth community card is then dealt face up.
• Again the player may decide to take no action or make a "river" bet. River bets are the same value as the ante bet.
• The "river" or fifth community card is then dealt face up.
• At this point both player and dealer attempt to build the best possible hand from their 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards. Hands are compared and according to standard poker ranking the higher of the two wins.
• Should the dealers hand win the player will forfeit all bets with the possible exception of the bonus bet (more about this later)
• If the players hand wins, flop, turn and river bets pay even money. Should the players hand consist of a straight or better, the ante bet also pays 1 - 1, if not it will push (carry over).
• If there is a tie between the dealer and player hands all bets push.
• Bonus bet payouts are calculated according to a pay table posted by the casino and only the dealer and player's hole cards are considered.

The similarities between Bonus Poker and Texas Hold 'em is clear from this description and the often lucrative bonus bet system only adds spice to this exciting and popular poker game.