How to play Ultimate Texas Hold'em Poker
We introduce the rules, gameplay, and strategy of Ultimate Texas Holdem Poker in our article. We have also linked a poker calculator that helps with proper play.
We introduce the rules, gameplay, and strategy of Ultimate Texas Holdem Poker in our article. We have also linked a poker calculator that helps with proper play.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em is a poker-based game where you can play against the casino. The game is somewhat similar to Blackjack, but you also have the opportunity to win up to 500 times your bet in a single round. In this video, we present everything you need to know in just a few minutes, from the basics to effective play. If you haven't seen our previous article, Poker Basics in 5 Minutes we recommend checking that out first.
Let's talk about the gameplay first. The game is divided into three rounds, and three types of bets play a role. In the first round, we must make two equal bets, the Ante and the Blind. After this, the dealer deals two cards to us and two to themselves, with their cards face down. Once we receive our two cards, we have two options:
In the second round, the dealer deals three community cards in the middle, similar to regular Texas Hold'em poker. If we didn't place a Play bet in the previous round, we have the opportunity again, but only with a double multiplier. Additionally, we can again decide not to place the Play bet and pass.
In the third round, the dealer deals two more community cards in the middle. If we did not place a Play bet in either of the previous rounds, we are faced with the final decision: either to fold and exit the game or to place the Play bet with a single multiplier. After we make our decision, the dealer reveals their own two cards, and the results of the bets are evaluated.
Now let's talk about what determines the size of the prize and who wins. This might sound a bit complicated at first, but don't worry.
First of all, it's important to understand that the three bets we mentioned earlier have different payout and winning conditions. We'll need one more definition to understand the victory conditions, and that is the dealer's qualification or Dealer Opens. A dealer qualifies if they have at least a Pair in their poker hand.
Just like in normal poker, whether you or the dealer wins depends on who has the stronger poker hand at the end. Unlike regular poker, however, the dealer has no option to fold, and bluffing has no purpose in this game.
| Final Winner | Did the Dealer Qualify? | Blind Bet | Play Bet | Ante Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Yes | Win | Win | Win |
| Player | No | Win | Win | Draw |
| Dealer | Yes | Lose | Lose | Lose |
| Dealer | No | Lose | Lose | Draw |
| Draw | Yes or No | Draw | Draw | Draw |
From the table, it can be seen that the victory conditions for the Blind and Play bets are the same. The Ante bet differs from the other two bets in that the result will always be a draw if the dealer does not qualify.
Now let's talk about the payouts. Where you see a draw in the table, you get back the bet you made. Where the table shows "lose," you naturally lose that bet. In case of a win, the payouts for the Play and Ante bets are equal to the bet made.
What's interesting is the victory payout for the Blind bet. This is shown in a separate table. Essentially, we need at least a straight to win with it; otherwise, we simply get the bet back.
| Poker Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 500 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 10 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 3 to 2 |
| Straight | 1 to 1 |
| Anything Else | Draw (Push) |
The question arises whether there are effective strategies for the game. As we showed in the video about video poker, here too exists a calculator that helps in optimal play. You just have to punch in your current cards into the calculator, and it will display the recommended move. With optimal play, over the long term, the game's return is similar to roulette, that is, over 95%. Unfortunately, there is no strategy that can overcome the casino's advantage. Below, we summarize the strategy: