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Ultimate Texas Hold'em is one of the numerous and most popular versions of Texas Hold'em adapted for playing against the house. Its developer is Roger Snow, a renowned expert in gambling and author of the ShuffleMaster website.
This game is widely available in brick-and-mortar clubs in many European countries, the United States, and other regions, as it combines simple rules, attractive gameplay, and the ability to reduce the casino's house edge to 2%.
In this article on Casinoz, I explain the rules of this type of Texas Hold 'em Poker.
Description of Ultimate Texas Hold'em
Ultimate Texas Hold'em is played using a standard 52-card deck with jokers. The dealer shuffles it before each deal.
Only one hand is allowed to be played. The player should place the ante and the blind of the same size. You can also make an optional bet called Trips.
The aim is to beat the dealer by collecting a higher-ranking poker hand.
Five out of the seven available cards are used in it. Two are dealt directly to the player, and five are placed on the table. They are called community cards.
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During gameplay, which includes several stages, the customer may raise the total bet once, making a bet called "Play". Its size depends on the round where the user decides to make it.
The rules of an establishment determine the range of bets.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em gameplay
Let's discuss the gameplay to help users master its nuances.
- Pocket Cards
The player and the dealer receive two cards. The user can see only his hand.
It is allowed to check or play (this bet equals three or four antes).
- Three Community Cards
The croupier places three cards on the table that can be used by both parties to form combinations (board).
If the player has raised, he can pay to make a bet equal to two antes. If it has been made, the game continues without side bets (check).
- The Fourth and Fifth Community Cards
Then the croupier deals two board cards.
If you have not made a bet called Play before, you can make it, but the bet size will equal an ante. You can also fold, refusing to participate in this round. In this case, you lose your ante. It is prohibited to check at this stage.
- Showdown
If the client keeps playing, his and the dealer's cards are revealed, and the highest-ranking hands are formed.
The dealer has a poker hand if he has any pair or higher.
The hands are compared according to the standard principles for poker.
If the dealer's hand is higher but they do not have at least the lowest-ranking hand (a pair), the player receives their ante back. The other bets are placed in a casino.
If the dealer wins, having a pair or higher, all the player's bet goes to the establishment. If the dealer does not have the lowest-ranking hand or the customer wins, he receives the payout.
- How the Payouts are Credited
If the croupier does not have at least the lowest-ranking hand, Blind and Play are paid, and the ante is returned to the customer.
If the dealer has the lowest-ranking hand or higher, the ante and Play are paid out by 1:1. The payout for the blind is calculated by these multipliers:
- Royal flush - 500:1
- Straight flush - 50:1
- Four of a kind - 10:1
- Full house - 3:1
- Flush - 3:2
- Straight - 1:1
- Other variants- push
If the ranks of hands are equal, a draw is announced. The bets are returned to the client.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em with Side Bets
Users can make a bonus bet called Trips in Ultimate Texas Hold'em, which is valid independently of the outcome of the basic round. It is paid if the player has one of the following hands (with an indication of payouts):
- Royal flush- 100:1
- Straight flush - 40:1
- Four of a kind- 20:1
- Full house - 7:1
- Flush - 6:1
- Straight- 5:1
- Three of a kind - 3:1
In the other cases, Trips loses.
Versions of Ultimate Texas Hold'em
Exclusive rights to the model belong to ShuffleMaster, so it is offered with classic rules in all casinos.
How to Play Ultimate Texas Hold'em for Money?
It is recommended that beginners learn the basics of poker from the more common versions to understand the basics and build up their hand. Experts advise playing Texas poker for free at first and then gradually increasing the stakes. Within the framework of the article about the rules of Ultimate Texas Poker, I will not consider the strategy of the game.
The strategy for Ultimate Texas Hold'em is discussed in detail in a separate article of the relevant section of Casinoz. Be sure to study the recommendations of experts before playing for money.
I also recommend these varieties of poker.
Where to Play Ultimate Texas Hold'em Poker?
This is a type of poker commonly found in many major poker rooms. Don't forget to clarify the nuances of the rules at each club where you plan to play Texas Hold 'em Poker for money. It is not uncommon for there to be significant differences.
Personal Experience
I agree with the opinion that this is one of the best versions of Hold 'em poker vs the casino. An interesting system of increasing bets, bonus payouts, and simple rules - all of this makes the gameplay exciting. Hopefully, in the near future, Ultimate will be presented on many online websites.
I will be glad to know your opinion about this game. Speak out in the comments.