Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em is based on the original Texas Hold ‘em, but the rules are simpler and players play against the dealer and not against each other.
How to Play
Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em is played with a single deck of cards and the game starts with each player making two bets of equal size. One is the ante and the other is the blind. Players also have the option of making an extra bet known as the trips. After bets have been placed each player will be dealt two cards face down. The dealer will also receive two cards. Players may look at their hands. At this point players can decide not to make a bet or they can make a play bet. The play bet can be three or four times the Ante.
Players can no longer make any bets at this point and then the remaining cards are dealt. Three cards are then dealt in the middle of the table. If a player did not make a bet in the previous round they can now make a play bet but it will be twice the ante. There is also the option to check.
Two cards are then dealt in the middle of the table and players who have checked will now have to decide if they want to make a play bet or to fold which means they lose their ante and blind bets. Players and the dealer will now show their hands and they are compared. The player and the dealer will then make the best five hand poker hand by using their cards and those on the table. Standard poker ranking are used and these are royal or straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, a two pair, a pair and a high card.
In order to qualify the dealer will need a pair, but if he does not qualify the ante bet will be a push. The player will win on the ante if the dealer does not have a winning hand, but will lose if the dealer has a better hand. If a player wins they win the ante and play bets, but the blind bet will only push if the player has anything less than a straight. All hands higher than a straight are paid out according to the paytable.
Optional Bets
The trips bet is optional and is made at the start of every hand. This bet only pays out depending on the strength of the hand and the players are not required to beat the dealer in this case at gambling sites. Even if players decide to fold they are still able to win on this bet. The paytable does vary on the trips bet.
Some casinos will offer a side bet, which can be played for one dollar. A royal flush is usually required to win the jackpot. The rules of this bet do vary depending on which casino is being played at.
Plan a Strategy
Because players need to make a decision at different points during the game it is good to have a strategy as the game can become quite complicated. Playing Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em online means that players can play for free, allowing them to work out a strategy and learn the rules and terminology of the game before playing for real money.
With two extra ways to win Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em has all the components of a great poker game and the chance to win the jackpot.