Ultimate Texas Hold'em
Take on the dealer heads-up: the earlier you commit your Play bet, the bigger you can raise. Read your two cards plus the board, and add a Trips bonus that pays regardless of the dealer.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em: how to play, rules & tips
Play Ultimate Texas Hold'em free online: you against the dealer, with Ante, Blind, Play and the optional Trips bonus. Learn when to raise 4×, 2× or 1× with free Hype Chips.
How to play Ultimate Texas Hold'em
Post equal Ante and Blind bets, plus an optional Trips bet. You and the dealer each get two cards, and five community cards come out in stages.
Before the flop you can raise 4× or 3× your Ante (the Play bet) or check. After the flop you can raise 2× or check. At the river you must raise 1× or fold. You can only raise once per hand.
Both hands use the best five of their seven cards. The dealer needs a pair or better to qualify.
How bets are paid
- Play bet: pays 1 to 1 when you beat the dealer.
- Ante: pays 1 to 1 when you win and the dealer qualifies; pushes if the dealer doesn't qualify.
- Blind: pays only when you win with a straight or better (Royal 500:1, Straight Flush 50:1, Quads 10:1, Full House 3:1, Flush 3:2, Straight 1:1); otherwise it pushes on a win.
- Trips: pays on your own hand whatever the dealer has (Royal 50:1, Straight Flush 40:1, Quads 30:1, Full House 8:1, Flush 7:1, Straight 4:1, Three of a Kind 3:1).
- If the dealer wins, Ante, Blind and Play are all lost; ties push.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em strategy
- Raise 4× before the flop with any pair, any Ace, and strong King, Queen or Jack hands. Betting 4× whenever you can is most of the strategy.
- After the flop, raise 2× with any pair you've made or a strong draw.
- At the river, raise 1× when you have a reasonable chance to beat the dealer; fold weak hands. The game's own guide estimates the edge at about 2.2% of the Ante and Blind.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ultimate Texas Hold'em free here?
Yes. HypeGameRoom is play-money only: you play with free Hype Chips that can never be bought, cashed out or won back as money, so you can practice with zero risk.
What does the dealer need to qualify?
A pair or better. If the dealer doesn't qualify, your Ante pushes and the other bets are settled normally.
When does the Blind bet pay?
Only when you beat the dealer with a straight or better.