The Bad Beat Jackpot (BBJ) is one of the most distinctive promotional features available across the Chico Poker Network, which includes popular rooms like BetOnline, TigerGaming, and SportsBetting Poker. This jackpot mechanism provides players the chance to win significant prizes—even when suffering a brutal loss at the tables.
Originally launched at NL100 Hold’em cash games, the Bad Beat Jackpot has since been expanded to include all No Limit Hold’em (NLH) and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO4) games, with variations based on stake level and format.
Eligibility and Trigger Conditions
No Limit Hold’em Jackpot Rules
The jackpot is available on both regular and Boost NLH tables. However, the qualifying losing hand varies by stake:
| Stakes | Qualifying Hand |
|---|---|
| NL10 | AAA-KK |
| NL25 | AAA-TT |
| NL50–NL200 | AAA-JJ |
| NL500–NL1000 | AAA-99 |
A minimum of four active players must be seated, and both hole cards must be used for a hand to qualify as a bad beat.
Omaha Jackpot Rules
In 4-card PLO (non-Hi/Lo) games, eligibility is broken into three tiers:
- Low stakes: PLO10–PLO50 → requires 7777x or better to lose
- Mid stakes: PLO100–PLO200 → requires 6666x or better
- High stakes: PLO500–PLO1000 → same qualifying hand as mid stakes
Just like Hold’em, four active players and full card usage are mandatory.
Jackpot Fee Structure
Each pot contributes a small, fixed jackpot fee when the minimum pot size is reached. These contributions vary by limit and are subject to a cap.
Hold’em Fee Structure:
| Limit | Min Pot | Fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL10 | $0.45 | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| NL25 | $2.00 | $0.01 | $0.06 |
| NL50 | $2.00 | $0.01 | $0.12 |
| NL100 | $3.75 | $0.02 | $0.26 |
| NL200 | $6.00 | $0.03 | $0.52 |
| NL500 | $50.00 | $0.40 | $2.00 |
| NL1000 | $100.00 | $0.50 | $2.50 |
Omaha Fee Structure:
| Limit | Min Pot | Fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLO10 | $3.75 | $0.01 | $0.50 |
| PLO25 | $3.75 | $0.01 | $0.50 |
| PLO50 | $3.75 | $0.01 | $0.50 |
| PLO100 | $10.00 | $0.04 | $2.00 |
| PLO200 | $10.00 | $0.04 | $2.00 |
| PLO500 | $75.00 | $0.40 | $2.00 |
| PLO1000 | $75.00 | $0.40 | $2.00 |
⚠️ Important: If the pot does not reach the minimum threshold, no fee is taken. The actual deduction is adjusted based on pot size, rounded to match the expected fee level.
Prize Pool Distribution
When a qualifying bad beat occurs, the jackpot prize pool is distributed as follows:
- 20% – to the player who suffers the bad beat
- 10% – to the winner of the hand
- 10% – equally split among other players at the table
- 20% – shared with all active players at the same stake across BBJ tables
- 35% – rolled over to the next jackpot pool
- 5% – retained by the poker room as an operational fee
This distribution model ensures that even players not directly involved in the bad beat can receive a share of the jackpot, boosting overall player engagement and liquidity at eligible tables.
Key Takeaways
- Available on all stakes of NL Hold’em and PLO4 (excluding Hi/Lo)
- Separate prize pools per limit, making low and high-stakes pools independent
- Minimum four players required, both hole cards must play
- Fixed rake contributions only apply above pot-size thresholds
- The jackpot structure rewards both the loser and the broader player pool
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