How to Play Jackpot Hold ’Em

If you’ve walked through a casino, you’ve probably seen players gathered around a Jackpot Hold ’Em table. The game looks a lot like Texas Hold ’Em poker, but instead of playing against other people, you’re playing against the dealer. On top of that, there’s a chance to win a progressive jackpot.

For new players, the game can feel intimidating, but it’s actually pretty simple once you understand the flow. This guide will walk you through how to play Jackpot Hold ’Em step by step, explain the rules and give you an idea of what to expect when you sit down at the table.

What Is Jackpot Hold ’Em?

Jackpot Hold ’Em is a casino table game based on Texas Hold ’Em poker. You get two cards, the dealer gets two cards and five community cards are dealt in the middle. Both you and the dealer build your best five-card poker hand from those seven cards.

The twist? There’s an optional side bet for the progressive jackpot, which pays out big when you hit rare hands like a straight flush or royal flush.

Getting Started at the Table

When you approach a Jackpot Hold ’Em table, you’ll see a few betting circles in front of each seat. These include:

• Ante: Your main bet to start the hand.
  
• X-TRA Bonus: A mandatory wager that pays odds when you win with a straight or better and beat the dealer’s hand.
• Player Bonus: Optional bet that pays when a player has a Three-of-a-Kind or better.
• Play: After receiving two-hole cards, patrons will have an option to bet 3x, 2x, 1x their Ante wager based on the 5 community cards. They will also have the option to check or fold their hand.
• STAX Progressive: Optional side bet that gives you a shot at the progressive jackpots.

You don’t need to bring chips with you in advance you can buy them right at the table by placing cash on the felt. The dealer will exchange your money for chips.

Step-by-Step: How to Play Jackpot Hold ’Em

Here’s what the game looks like from start to finish.

1. Place Your Ante Wager and X-TRA Bonus Wager

Every hand starts with an Ante wager and an X-TRA Bonus wager. These wagers will put you in the game against the dealer.

If you want to try for the progressive jackpots, you may also place a chip on the STAX Progressive circle at the same time. You must bet on the primary wagers (the Ante and X-TRA Bonus wager and or the Player Bonus wager) to make a STAX Progressive wager.

2. Receive Your Hole Cards

The dealer gives you two cards. Some casinos deal them face up, others face down, but either way, these are your cards for the round.

3. Decide: Fold or Play

After receiving your two-hole cards, and having the first flop card revealed of the 5 community cards, you can bet:

• 3x your Ante or check.
• After the next two cards of the flop are revealed, you can either bet 2x your Ante or check.
• After the last two community cards are dealt, you may bet 1x your Ante or fold.

4. The Flop, Turn and River

The dealer will deal the five community cards face down.

• Each player, including the dealer, will be dealt two cards.
• The dealer will proceed to reveal the first community card. Player will decide to bet or check.
• Two additional community cards will be revealed (the remainder of the three-card flop). Player will decide to continue to check.
• The final two community cards will be revealed (Turn/River). Players will decide whether to fold or bet.

5. The Showdown

The dealer will make their best five-card hand out of the seven cards (their “Hole” cards plus the 5 community cards).

• The dealer must have a pair or better to qualify
• If the dealer does not have a qualifying hand, the Ante wager will be pushed back to the player.
• If you beat the dealer, your Ante and Play bets pay even money.
• The XTRA Bonus wager wins and is paid according to the posted pay table if the player’s hand is higher than the dealer’s hand. This wager only wins with a Straight or higher, and is higher than the dealer’s hand.
• The Player Bonus wager wins according to the posted pay table.
• The STAX Progressive wins with the player’s two “hole” cards and the first three “flop” cards and pays based on the posted pay table.

6. Jackpot Resolution

If you placed a STAX progressive bet, the dealer checks your hand against the jackpot pay table. Hands like flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kinds, straight flushes, and Royal Flushes can all trigger bonus payouts.

Poker Hand Rankings

If you’re new to poker-style games, the hand rankings might be confusing. Here’s what each one means, from strongest to weakest:

• Royal Flush – A straight from 10 through Ace, all in the same suit (10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ A♠).
• Straight Flush – Five cards in a row, all in the same suit (5♥ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ 9♥).
• Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank (Q♦ Q♥ Q♣ Q♠ + any other card).
• Full House – Three of a kind plus a pair (K♠ K♦ K♥ + 9♣ 9♦).
• Flush – Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (2♣ 7♣ 9♣ J♣ K♣).
• Straight – Five cards in a row, mixed suits (4♠ 5♦ 6♣ 7♣ 8♥).
• Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank (8♣ 8♥ 8♠ + two random cards).
• Two Pair – Two different pairs (J♠ J♦ + 5♣ 5♥ + one other card).
• One Pair – A single pair (A♣ A♦ + three random cards).
• High Card – None of the above; your highest card counts (Ace-high beats King-high).

Jackpot Hold ’Em Payouts

Payouts can vary by casino, but you can find the structure for the jackpot hold’em side bet at Riverwind Casino here. Always check the paytable at your table before playing, as house rules differ.

Tips for Beginners

• Start small. Learn the flow of the game with minimum bets before adding the jackpot side bet.
• Learn the hand rankings. Knowing which hands beat which will make the game much easier to follow.

Enjoy Jackpot Hold’em at Riverwind Casino

Now you know how to play Jackpot Hold ’Em from start to finish. The game blends poker and blackjack-style dealer play with the added thrill of a jackpot prize. Place your Ante, decide whether to chase the jackpot and see if your cards can beat the dealer’s.

It’s straightforward once you try a few hands, and who knows, you might even land that royal flush and take down the jackpot.