High Hand Bonus Questions (1 Viewer)

Chris Manzoni

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Going to be introducing a high hand bonus in my home cash game tomorrow night. I had a two questions...

Does a player have to use both his/her hole cards for the hand to qualify?

Does the hand have to get to showdown?

Other than that I think I understand the concept, I think!
 
Your house your rules. However most casinos state both hole cards must be used to qualify. Don’t need to go to showdown sometimes you don’t want it to go to showdown. Example you are dealt A2 and flop is AAA turn card will void your hole card even if it is a 2
 
Brother Chris!! Both your options! Typically yes on both hole cards being used... and never thought about the showdown part... never heard of that being a rule... personally I would say yes to the First rule and no to the second rule, a high hand is a high hand ag whatever point it reaches that status! Best of luck!! Did you pick up one of the High Hand Plaques @Quicksilver-75 designed?
 
Side note one additional rule you may think of is a minimum high hand to qualify... if you host regular games and say Aces over 10s or better then it can build a pot over several sessions if not accomplished that evening. Are you paying as part of the pot money (tourney) or having people buy into the high hand ahead of time (cash or tourney)? Some games its $2 or $5 before action begins for that session... depends on the stakes.
 
Side note one additional rule you may think of is a minimum high hand to qualify... if you host regular games and say Aces over 10s or better then it can build a pot over several sessions if not accomplished that evening. Are you paying as part of the pot money (tourney) or having people buy into the high hand ahead of time (cash or tourney)? Some games its $2 or $5 before action begins for that session... depends on the stakes.

Oooh I love this idea! Will have to give it some thought.

This is strictly a cash game night and a payout from a tiny rake (approx 5%) throughout the night.

Thanks all for the responses!
 
Also everyone says your house... your rules, but in my opinion it's always nice to ask for your groups opinion.... you know, do we want to let it build or pay out no matter what, do we want a minimum to qualify, both hole cards or best 5 cards? We can all have our opinions of what's right but maybe your crew doesn't like that structure, and after all they are the ones playing!! Again just my thoughts!!

Not sure If I saw a response did you get a plaque or just keeping track on a white board?
 
Yes, will definitely ask my players what they prefer.

We've got a plaque of sorts lol, I missed the Quicksilver plaque I think - I know I got a dealer button from him but I'll have to look and see if I got the high hand marker too.
 
Only bad part about carryovers is that some player might not be able to make it, I understand the counter argument that it’s motivation to get them there. Maybe just do $X collect from everyone that wants to participate and then pay out at end of night.
 
At my games I only do a high hand jackpot for larger tournaments. And because I don't want the high hand qualifier rules affecting tournament play (must go to showdown, people chasing silly outs to get to showdown, etc.), I keep the rules super loose. So all that's needed at my game is a 5-card hand to win; but I do require both hole cards be shown.

For example:
- If you flop a boat, bet out, and your opponent folds, hero can show both hole cards for a 5-card hand to qualify.
- If you turn a straight flush with one of your whole cards, bet out, and your opponent folds, you must still show both hole cards to qualify.
- Only the hand made upon the opponent's fold qualifies... we allow dealers to run-out cards to see if the high hand would've improved, but any improvement does not qualify.

This keeps it simple, and keeps people from making silly plays for the jackpot.
 
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are you paying it out every game by the end of the night? If so, then no qualifier other than it can’t be rabbit hunted.

Unless you are putting a qualifier like quads or better and the money will roll over from game to game until hit I wouldn’t have any restrictions.

Use 1 card or 2, or even the board in some crazy situation.

For my high hand the player just has to show their hand to qualify. Doesn’t have to get to showdown, no minimum amount in the pot. Use 1 card (Hold’em).

We pay the HH at midnight every game, whatever it is.

I feel it is the players money from that game and it is being paid out that night so why put restrictions on it.
 
are you paying it out every game by the end of the night? If so, then no qualifier other than it can’t be rabbit hunted.

Unless you are putting a qualifier like quads or better and the money will roll over from game to game until hit I wouldn’t have any restrictions.

Use 1 card or 2, or even the board in some crazy situation.

For my high hand the player just has to show their hand to qualify. Doesn’t have to get to showdown, no minimum amount in the pot. Use 1 card (Hold’em).

We pay the HH at midnight every game, whatever it is.

I feel it is the players money from that game and it is being paid out that night so why put restrictions on it.
This sounds exactly like where my head is at - at first I was intrigued by the prospect of it rolling over, but then yes, it dawned on me that not everyone makes it to every game - so we should just pay it out on the night.
 
are you paying it out every game by the end of the night? If so, then no qualifier other than it can’t be rabbit hunted.

Unless you are putting a qualifier like quads or better and the money will roll over from game to game until hit I wouldn’t have any restrictions.

Use 1 card or 2, or even the board in some crazy situation.

For my high hand the player just has to show their hand to qualify. Doesn’t have to get to showdown, no minimum amount in the pot. Use 1 card (Hold’em).

We pay the HH at midnight every game, whatever it is.

I feel it is the players money from that game and it is being paid out that night so why put restrictions on it.

Also, I know your home stakes are significantly higher than mine, but what percentage do you drag from each pot to build a high hand prize pool?
 
Here's mine - it's a $50 cash prize paid out of a separate pool. It usually gets hit once or twice a season:

  • A player who makes a full house of Aces full of 2’s or better at any point during tournament play will be consider to be the high hand of the night, so long as another player doesn’t make a stronger hand before the conclusion of that tournament.

  • Once the high hand has been hit, that player’s hand establishes the standard for the next high hand bonus. Example: if a player makes quad 4’s and that ends up being the high hand for that tournament, a hand of quad 4’s with a better kicker will be required in subsequent tournaments to earn the bonus.

  • All ‘High Hands’ must be made using both hole cards and not counterfeited by the board in order to qualify for the bonus.

  • In the event a player makes a qualifying hand of a Royal Flush, the bonus will be paid instantly, and the high hand standard will be immediately reset to Aces full of 2’s.

  • In the event that more than one player ties for a qualifying hand at the end of a tournament, the prize will be split evenly between all qualifying players.

  • In the event no high hand is awarded during a tournament, the bonus amount does not carry over to future tournaments.

  • A hand does not have to go to showdown to qualify for the bonus, however the player’s hand must be tabled to qualify.
 
We do high hand every hour everyone pays a dollar. If someone gets quads or better it pays out instantly and the high hand for the remainder of the hour will also get paid.
 

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