Ante Bonus Calculator: Understanding Table Poker Bonuses

Ante bonuses reward strong starting hands in casino poker games—regardless of whether you beat the dealer. Our calculator shows payout structures, probability of triggering bonuses, and why these automatic payouts add value (or cost) to your table poker sessions.

What Is an Ante Bonus?

An ante bonus is a payout on your ante bet when you receive a qualifying hand, typically a straight or better. Unlike the main game, ante bonuses pay even if the dealer doesn't qualify or you lose the hand. They're automatic bonuses tied to hand strength, not competition.

Quick Answer: Ante bonus = automatic payout for strong hands on your ante bet. Straight or better typically qualifies. Pays even if you lose to dealer. Common in Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Three Card Poker, etc. Pay tables vary. Adds ~3.5% to return in UTH. Not a side bet—built into ante structure.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Ante Bonus Calculator →

Calculate ante bonus probabilities and EV.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select Game: Which poker variant

2. Enter Ante Size: Your ante bet

3. View Qualifying Hands: What triggers bonus

4. Check Payouts: Each hand pays

5. Calculate Contribution: To overall return

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Game	Poker variant	UTH
Ante	Bet size	$25
Hand	Your cards	Straight
Bonus Payout	What you win	$100
Frequency	How often	0.39%

Common Ante Bonus Structures

Ultimate Texas Hold'em

UTH Ante Bonus pay table:

Royal Flush: 500:1
Straight Flush: 50:1
Four of a Kind: 10:1
Full House: 3:1
Flush: 3:2 (1.5:1)
Straight: 1:1

No bonus for:
Three of a kind or less

Contributes ~3.5% to return
Significant value

Three Card Poker

Three Card Ante Bonus:

Straight Flush: 5:1
Three of a Kind: 4:1
Straight: 1:1

Only three cards
Easier to hit
Part of standard game

Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud ante bonus:

Royal Flush: 100:1
Straight Flush: 50:1
Four of a Kind: 20:1
Full House: 7:1
Flush: 5:1
Straight: varies

Often tied to progressive
Check specific table rules

Probability Analysis

UTH Hand Frequencies

Ultimate Texas Hold'em hands:

Royal Flush: 0.0032%
Straight Flush: 0.028%
Four of a Kind: 0.17%
Full House: 2.60%
Flush: 3.03%
Straight: 4.62%

Total bonus hands: ~10.5%
About 1 in 10 hands

Expected Bonus Value

UTH ante bonus contribution:

Each hand × probability × payout:
Royal: 0.0032% × 500 = 0.016
SF: 0.028% × 50 = 0.014
Quads: 0.17% × 10 = 0.017
FH: 2.60% × 3 = 0.078
Flush: 3.03% × 1.5 = 0.045
Straight: 4.62% × 1 = 0.046

Total: ~0.216 per ante unit
Or ~21.6% bonus return
Reduces effective house edge

Impact on House Edge

UTH house edge analysis:

Without ante bonus: ~2.2%
With ante bonus: ~2.2% - 3.5% = varies

Ante bonus is significant
Part of optimal strategy calculations
Always factor into decisions

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Straight

Most common bonus:

$25 ante, hit a straight

Ante bonus: 1:1 = $25

Even if dealer wins:
You still get $25 bonus
Reduces net loss

Example 2: Full House

Solid bonus:

$25 ante, hit full house

Ante bonus: 3:1 = $75

Nice payout
Happens ~2.6% of time

Example 3: Royal Flush

Jackpot moment:

$25 ante, hit royal flush

Ante bonus: 500:1 = $12,500

Rare (0.0032%)
Life-changing when hit
Independent of dealer

Example 4: Session Impact

100 hands of UTH:

$25 ante, 100 hands

Expected bonus hands: ~10.5
Expected bonus winnings: ~$135
(based on probability × payouts)

Significant offset to losses
Part of the game's appeal

Strategy Considerations

Bonuses Don't Change Strategy

Important understanding:

Ante bonus is automatic
Can't influence which cards come
Play optimal strategy regardless

Bonus is nice when hit
But doesn't affect decisions
Focus on main game strategy

Ante Bonus vs Side Bets

Key distinction:

Ante bonus: Part of ante bet
No additional wager required
Automatic if you play

Side bets: Extra wager
Optional, separate bet
Often worse house edge

Ante bonuses = good
Most side bets = bad

Game Selection

Better ante bonus = better game:

UTH ante bonus is generous
Three Card is reasonable
Some games are stingy

Compare pay tables
Before sitting down

Pay Table Variations

Full-Pay vs Reduced

Watch for variations:

Full-pay UTH:
Straight Flush: 50:1
Full House: 3:1

Reduced pay:
Straight Flush: 40:1
Full House: 2:1

Lower payouts = higher edge
Always check before playing

Progressive vs Fixed

Some games offer both:

Fixed ante bonus: Always same
Progressive: Growing jackpot

Progressive usually has:
Lower base payouts
Side bet required for progressive
Worse overall EV typically

Common Mistakes

1. Thinking Bonus Is Separate Bet

Mistake: Looking for ante bonus wager Problem: It's automatic on ante Fix: Understand it's built-in

2. Ignoring Pay Table

Mistake: Assuming all tables same Problem: Payouts vary significantly Fix: Check before playing

3. Chasing Bonuses

Mistake: Playing bad spots for bonus potential Problem: Doesn't change probability Fix: Play optimal strategy

4. Confusing with Trips Bet

Mistake: Mixing up different bonuses Problem: Trips is separate side bet Fix: Ante bonus = on ante only

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ante bonus automatic?

Yes. If your hand qualifies, you get paid on your ante regardless of outcome against dealer.

Do I need to bet extra?

No. Ante bonus pays on your standard ante wager—no additional bet required.

What hands qualify?

Varies by game. Usually straight or better. Check specific game rules.

Does the dealer need to qualify?

No for ante bonus. You get paid even if dealer doesn't qualify or beats you.

Is ante bonus the same as Trips bet?

No. Trips is a separate optional side bet. Ante bonus is automatic on your ante.

Can ante bonus offset the house edge?

It contributes to return but house still has edge. In UTH, it adds ~3.5% to player return.

Pro Tips

• Automatic payout: No extra bet needed

• Check pay tables: Variations exist

• ~10% of hands: Qualify for some bonus

• Significant value: Especially in UTH

• Not strategy-changing: Play optimal regardless

Related Calculators

• Ultimate Texas Hold'em Calculator - Main game
• Three Card Poker Calculator - Simpler version
• Caribbean Stud Calculator - Another variant
• House Edge Calculator - Compare games
• Expected Value Calculator - True EV

Conclusion

Ante bonuses are built-in payouts for strong hands in casino poker games—no extra bet required. Our calculator shows qualifying hands, payout structures, and how these bonuses contribute to your overall return. In Ultimate Texas Hold'em alone, the ante bonus adds roughly 3.5% to player return.

Calculate Ante Bonus Value Now →

Hit a straight and you get paid—even if the dealer takes the pot. Our calculator reveals how ante bonuses work across different casino poker games and why they're part of what makes table poker viable.