Texas Hold'em Bonus Strategy Question

I am new to the forum, and this is my first post, so if I make an error in protocol, I apologize in advance. I found this forum while researching the question below. I make 3-4 trips a year to Las Vegas, and from reading some of the threads, there are many knowledgeable people here with a lot of helpful information that I will be able to use! Hopefully, along the way, I will be able to contribute as well.

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!

Texas hold'em Bonus? Read this

something invisible on the end of that link screws it up, try

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

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!

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.

THB is also at Freemont (hand dealt) and California (machine), downtown. Casinos have had replaced THB with UTH to obtain much higher overall edge. THB is a better game for players. (Why casinos take them away...)

Quote: donnys

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!

you're welcome but it's "flush or better" that should cause pause. Maybe that's what you meant to say.

Quote: odiousgambit

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.

I've seen it both ways (flush or straight) throughout the midwest.

Quote: odiousgambit

you're welcome but it's "flush or better" that should cause pause. Maybe that's what you meant to say.

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.

There is another version of THB which allows players to bet more than 2x on Flop. I saw it in a table games show, but never seen it life any where

As people have mentioned and according to the link you included, the LV rules pay at a straight or better, and the AC rules pay at a flush. My recollection is at the Linq is was a straight or better. I will be able to confirm this at the end of the month, and let everyone know for sure.

It is not a different version but a different game. It is ultimate Texas Holdem that allows you to bet 3 or 4 times your ante.

At Cesars AC, there's an amalgamation of both UTH and THB called Ultimate Texas Hold Em Bonus.

Basically it has the betting structure of UTH, but has an additional side bet next to the Trips Bet called "Bonus" that pays for pocket pairs and Ace- Face(similar to THB Bonus bet). So you are not saddled with the Ante that only pays on Flush or better, but I believe the dealer needs to have a pair or better to qualify.

Saw quite a few Royal Flush's get paid out since they started the game but it's usually a full table on Weekends and always $10 minimum or higher.