Rules of Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Each round begins with mandatory Ante and Blind bets. Players may also place an optional Trips side bet.
- Both player and dealer receive two hole cards; five community cards are dealt face up in stages.
- You may raise only once per hand, but at different stages:
- Preflop: up to 4x your Ante
- After the flop: up to 2x if no preflop raise
- After the river: 1x if no raise yet
- The dealer qualifies with a pair or better. If not, Ante pushes, Blind pays according to paytable, and Play bet is returned if you beat the dealer.
Raise Timing Guide
| Stage | Raise | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Preflop | 4x | Premium hands (high pairs, strong aces, broadways). Maximize value early. |
| Flop | 2x | Top pair or strong draws if you skipped preflop raise. |
| River | 1x | Marginal made hands if you didn’t raise earlier. |
Strategy Basics
- 4x raises are key: They’re the most profitable; use on strong hands.
- Know the Trips paytable: Payouts vary by casino. Straight flushes may pay up to 50:1.
- Dealer qualification: Dealer needs a pair or better. If not, Ante pushes.
- Manage bankroll: A 4x raise means your total stake can be 5x Ante per hand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s the house edge?
- About 2.2% with correct strategy, lower than many casino games.
- What is the Trips bet?
- A side bet paying on your final 5-card hand regardless of dealer. Paytables vary widely.
- Can I fold?
- Yes. If your hand looks weak and you haven’t raised, you can fold after the river and lose only Ante + Blind.
- Is strategy important?
- Yes. Using correct raise timing (4x/2x/1x) reduces house edge and avoids unnecessary losses.