Bonus Round Rules

Bonus Round was devised by Jason Krueger, as published on pagat.com. It is an alternative to dealer's choice, in which the dealer normally selects the variant for each deal.

The group needs a random device to select the game. Suitable devices are:

1.2(a) a 20-sided die;

1.2(b) a prize wheel; or

1.2(c) two ordinary six-sided dice of different colours, which the source suggests may be the most practical choice.

Each game selected is then played under its own rules, for example Texas Hold'em or Seven Card Stud.

Before play, the group lists the games it wants to play and assigns each one to one or more outcomes of the random device.

With two six-sided dice, the dice shall always be read in the same colour order, for example red first and white second. A roll of 2 then 5 is therefore a different outcome from 5 then 2, giving 36 outcomes, which can conveniently be written out as a six-by-six grid.

A game may be listed in more than one place. This allows a group with fewer than 36 games, or with favourite games, to make some games more likely than others.

Some outcomes may be designated bonus rounds: special games that favour the dealer. With two dice, the six doubles (1-1, 2-2 and so on) are a natural choice.

Before each deal, the dealer rolls the dice (or the die, or spins the wheel), and the game shown on the list for that outcome is played.

If the outcome is a bonus round, the dealer plays that bonus round.

The group may also include an anti-bonus outcome, on which the dealer must pay every other player. This gives the non-rolling players a result to hope for.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner. The dealer rolls, and the result becomes the dealer's lucky number for the rest of the night. From then on, any player who rolls that number while selecting a game pays the dealer 25 cents. If the dealer rolls their own lucky number on their turn to select a game, every player at the table pays them 25 cents.

Jack and Coke. Two full decks with distinguishable backs are used, jokers included. The dealer shuffles each deck separately and places them side by side, then turns the top card of each deck face up together. Payments are made for matches as shown in the table. The dealer continues turning pairs of cards until both decks are used up.

Everyone Loves Elvis. The dealer shuffles and deals fifteen cards face down, then rolls a six-sided die to set the size of a bonus pile. The dealer turns the fifteen cards over one at a time and is paid for each heart, with the king of hearts paying more, as shown in the table.

4.3(a) When the fifteen cards are used up, the dealer may either keep the winnings or risk them by turning over the bonus pile.

4.3(b) Payments for cards in the bonus pile are doubled.

4.3(c) If any ace appears in the bonus pile, the dealer wins nothing, and all the money paid for the first fifteen cards is placed in the pot of the next game played as a booster.

The group shall agree the list of games, which outcomes are bonus or anti-bonus rounds, and all payment amounts before play begins.

Bonus-round payments are made directly between players and are separate from the pots of the ordinary games, except for the Everyone Loves Elvis booster in 4.3(c).