TablesRules

Texas Hold em Bonus: hold em against the dealer

Texas Hold em Bonus is a casino table game where you play hold em against the dealer. You post an ante, then decide to bet or fold at each stage. An optional side bet pays on your two hole cards.

Reviewed Oct 15, 2026

Answer first

90s

01You play against the dealer only.
02Bet the flop or fold.
03The side bet pays on hole cards.

Key numbers

Texas Hold em Bonus at a glance

2xFlop betOf the ante

1xTurn and riverOr check

~2%Ante edgeRough

1000:1Top bonusA-A vs dealer A-A

In short

Key takeaways

Fold only weak hole cards.
The dealer does not need to qualify.
The side bet has a much higher edge.
Pay tables vary by casino.

Progress

How a hand plays

1
Ante
Plus optional bonus
2
Hole cards
Fold or bet 2x
3
Turn and river
Bet 1x or check
4
Showdown
Beat the dealer

Ties push all bets.

Pay table

Sample bonus pay table

Glance before you bet

Hole cards	Pays
A-A, dealer also A-A	1000 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
Any other pair	3 to 1

One common table; check the casino.

Betting stages

After seeing your two cards, you either fold and lose the ante or make a flop bet of twice the ante.

On the turn and river, you can bet once the ante or check. You cannot raise more than that on each street.

Simple strategy

Stage	Basic rule
Pre-flop	Bet most hands; fold the weakest
Turn	Bet with a pair or a strong draw
River	Bet if you likely beat the dealer
Bonus	Optional; higher edge

Rough guide; full strategy charts exist.

How bets pay

If you beat the dealer, the flop, turn and river bets pay even money. The ante pays under the casino rules on the placard.

In some versions the ante pushes unless you win with a straight or better. If the dealer wins, all main bets lose.

Sequence

Playing a hand

Step 01
Read the placard
Ante and bonus rules.
Step 02
Post the ante
Add the bonus if you want.
Step 03
Decide on the flop
Bet 2x or fold.
Step 04
Bet or check
Turn and river.
Step 05
Show down
Against the dealer.

A worked example

You post a $10 ante and a $5 bonus. You get A-K suited, so the bonus pays $125.

You bet $20 on the flop and check later. You beat the dealer, and the flop bet pays $20.

Where you find it

Texas Hold em Bonus is found in some US casinos, often next to Ultimate Texas Hold em and Three Card Poker.

Online casinos in legal states may offer it with their own pay tables.

Limits often start at $5 or $10 per ante. Some casinos also add a progressive side bet that pays on the best five-card hand from your hole cards and the flop.

Common mistakes

Folding too often: Most hands are worth a flop bet.
Betting every river: Check weak hands.
Always taking the bonus: Its edge is high.
Skipping the placard: Pays vary.

Bankroll and pace

Each hand can risk up to five times the ante, plus the bonus.

A $10 ante table can need $50 or more for a single hand.

Budget for the full bet, not just the ante. A full strategy chart for the pre-flop decision folds only a small share of hands, mostly weak offsuit cards.

Floor rules

Bonus poker terms

Know before you sit

Ante: The first bet to play a hand.
Flop bet: A bet of twice the ante.
Side bet: A side bet on your hole cards.
Push: A tie; your bet comes back.
Placard: The sign with table limits and pays.

Comparing similar games

Ultimate Texas Hold em lets you raise up to four times before the flop. Texas Hold em Bonus does not.

Casino Hold em has one decision after the flop and a dealer qualifier.

Each game has its own edge, so compare the placard before you choose.

Keep reading

Go play

Where to play in Las Vegas

Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.

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Browse all Las Vegas casinos →

After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Basics

Do I play against other players?

No. Every player at the table plays against the dealer hand only. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Does the dealer need to qualify?

No. The dealer always plays the hand to showdown. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

How much is the flop bet?

Twice the ante, or you fold. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

02Rules

What happens on a tie?

All your main bets push and come back to you. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Can I raise on the river?

You may bet once the ante or check. Larger raises are not allowed. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Is the side bet required?

No. It is optional and settles on your two hole cards. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

03Strategy

What is the house edge?

Around 2% of the ante with good play, but it varies by pay table. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Should I play the bonus?

It is a fun side bet, but its edge is much higher than the main game. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Where can I get help?

If gambling stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, private help any time of day.

Sources

Wizard of Odds — Texas Hold em Bonus Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Rules, pay table and house edge
Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER