Thomas Andrei
Mentor
Last updated: 05 January 2021

What Is Ultimate Texas Hold’em?

Ultimate Texas Hold’em online is one of the most popular casino table games and it shares some similarities with poker. This is probably the reason why many gamblers are attracted to it. This game is played with the dealer without any other player, so the dealer will have an inherent advantage that cannot be overcome.

However, the game contains certain strategic elements. While gamblers cannot beat the house-edge, their decisions are important as they will determine how much harm the casino can do. Many online casinos on the market have to offer this kind of table game, so you can refer to our top online gambling sites to find your cup of tea.

Understand Ultimate Texas Hold’em Rules

Ultimate Texas Hold’em is played with the casino, so players will confront the dealer. There may be multiple players at the table, but that doesn't change much as the gamblers' sole goal is to defeat the dealer. Whether other players win or lose, doesn't matter to you.

You will see different betting circles on the table in front of you:

  • Ante;
  • Blind;
  • Play;
  • Trip.

To play a hand, you need to make at least 2 bets: Ante and Blinds. The Trip bet is an optional bet that players can take, and it pays only if you play certain hands. Play Bet can be made with different multiples of the original bet at different points in the hand.

Here is how Ultimate Texas Hold’em online works:

  • Each gambler places two mandatory opening bets: one "ante" and one "blind";
  • Besides, "Trip" bets allow gamblers to choose pre-deal deals;
  • The two cards are then dealt with the player and dealer;
  • Once the gamblers have checked the card, they can choose to add a "Play" bet with a value of 3x or 4x the previous bet;
  • Gamblers can check and wait for the next betting round;
  • The dealer then shares 3 community cards face down on the table between the player and the dealer;
  • If the gamblers are registered in the first betting round, they can bet Play 2x or can check again;
  • Once Play Bet has been placed, players cannot bet again;
  • After the gamblers bet again or check, the dealer shares two more community cards in the center of the table;
  • If gamblers have not yet made a Play bet, they must fold, or place 1x ante;
  • When all cards have been dealt and all Play bets have been made, the dealer will reveal their hole cards and declare their best 5 card hand.

Ultimate Texas Hold’em Payouts

Regarding the gameplay mechanism, Ultimate Texas Hold’em is quite simple. However, things can get a little tricky when it comes to payouts. Here is a quick breakdown of what players need to know before starting:

Dealer's Qualifying Hand

Like in many other poker variations, the dealer needs to present a qualifying hand for the player to win. In Ultimate Texas Hold’em online, the minimum qualifying hand is any pair. In the event of an ineligible dealer, the wager will be returned to the player with no profit.

Play Payout

At the start of the game, players will have only the blind and the stake invested. However, before the game, gamblers will have at least one money invested in the "Play" field (unless a folding decision is decided). All bets in the hand are added to the "Play" section.

After the hand is over, if players beat the dealer and they have a qualifying hand, all Play and Ante bets will be settled at a 1:1 ratio.

Blind Bets

Another bet players have made at the beginning of a hand that still needs to be resolved is Blind Bet, which is a special bet that can lead to some big wins.

Every time the dealer is defeated, blind stakes are returned to the players with the remainder of the profit. However, if players are lucky and can beat the dealer with a straight hand or better, blind bets will be settled according to the following Ultimate Texas Holdem payout table:

  • Pay 1 to 1 directly;
  • Flush pays 3 to 2;
  • Boat (whole house) pays 3 to 1;
  • Quads pay 10 to 1;
  • A straight flush pays 50 to 1;
  • A royal flush pays 500 to 1.

If the player beats the dealer's hand, the blind bet will be either a push or the gamblers receive a bonus depending on the strength of their hand.

Trip Bets

Trip wagers are completely optional in Ultimate Texas Hold’em and they are not the best option since the house advantage over them is around 1.9%. Payouts are based solely on the players' hands, so you'll get paid as long as you perform three types of one or better:

  • Trips: 3 to 1
  • Straights: 4 to 1
  • Flushes: 7 to 1
  • Boats: 9 to 1
  • Quads: 30 to 1
  • Straight flushes: 40 to 1
  • Royal flushes: 50 to 1
Published: 05 January 2021 09:50