Casino Poker Room Promotions

Online, sites like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker wage war against each other using the latest and greatest promotions. From millions of dollars in tournaments to top-tier online poker bonuses, it’s a fierce battle every single day in the world of internet poker. At live casinos, it’s no different. Let’s check out a few of the separators in brick and mortar poker rooms around the globe.

Bad Beat Jackpots

Just like you’ll find online, Bad Beat Jackpots exist in casinos at the four corners of the Earth. There are a few ways that this common promotion varies by casino. First and foremost, their sizes differ widely. In some casinos, Bad Beat Jackpots reach into the six-figures. In others, only a few hundred dollars is given away. As a general trend, the size of a Bad Beat Jackpot is directly proportional to the size of a poker room. The more tables and patrons there are, the larger the Jackpot will be. It’s to your advantage to play at the largest casino you can find that has a Bad Beat Jackpot. If your quad aces go down in smoke to a straight flush, you may find your bankroll boosted significantly.

Bad Beat Jackpots also vary in their qualification requirements. Some require only four of a kind to be bested. Some require that four eights lose to a superior hand. Some require that you use both of your hole cards in the final hand, while others mandate that at least four players be dealt to and the hand go to showdown. Take note of what is required to win a Bad Beat Jackpot so that there are no surprises. Oftentimes, $1 is removed from each pot in order to fund the Bad Beat bonus, although this amount varies by casino. I’ve seen a Bad Beat Jackpot go off before. It’s quite a thrill and will surely get your heart racing.

High Hand Bonuses

Casinos typically award cash bonuses for top-tier hands like four of a kind, straight flushes, and royal flushes. Oftentimes, the amount you’ll win varies by hand and typically escalates with hand rank. In some gambling establishments, high hands double or even triple their payouts during off-peak hours. In others, high hands award raffle tickets for future cash drawings. Each casino that has a High Hand Bonus awards it a little differently, so ask your local poker room host for more information. Oftentimes, you’ll find a large board on the wall of the card room that displays the latest High Hand Bonuses.

Poker Comps

Depending on your market, poker players are either viewed like royalty or second class citizens when it comes to obtaining comps. In Tunica, for example, playing a few hours of poker is enough to receive a free buffet. The same holds true for other casino games like craps and blackjack. In Las Vegas, however, the scene is quite different. Getting a comp can be harder than reaching the Pope. Some card rooms avoid providing comps to poker players altogether, but instead offer free food and drink. These can range from hot dogs and hamburgers to full-fledged spreads like what you see in the background of GSN’s “High Stakes Poker.”

Amenities

Similar to the above, the level of food and beverage service you’ll receive while seated in a poker room varies substantially by casino. I’ve been in ones with gourmet buffets as well as others with not a morsel to eat. Bathrooms can be as close as the nearest slot machine or as far away as a few hundred feet. In the case of the latter, breaking the seal can lead to a missed orbit, costing you time and money. Some card rooms, believe it or not, lack female restrooms, vestiges from the days when women were not a major force in casinos. It all depends on the establishment, so choose wisely.