Spielbank Aachen Pokerturnier

How does Ultimate Texas Hold’em work?

We explain exactly how this popular poker variation works and which basic rules apply to this game in our MERKUR Casinos.

approx. 5 min.
How does Ultimate Texas Hold’em work?
Maya Maya

Playing Poker Against the House

Step into a unique poker experience with Ultimate Texas Hold’em (UTH), where strategic thinking meets high-energy gameplay. At MERKUR Casinos, up to six players face off against the house, with the tension building as every card is flipped. If luck is on your side, you could walk away with a payout as high as 500 times your original stake!Ultimate Texas Hold’em (UTH) combines strategic skill with thrilling action. At our MERKUR Casinos, up to six participants play against the house and experience the rising excitement with every card. With a bit of luck, you can win up to 500 times your stake!

In brief: Ultimate Texas Hold’em (UTH)

UTH is a dynamic take on poker using both hole cards and community cards. In our casinos, up to six players compete directly against the dealer. To add more excitement, there's an optional 'Trips' bonus bet. The game starts with everyone—players and the dealer—receiving two private cards, which are then combined with five shared community cards to build the strongest five-card hand possible.

The Course of Play

Duisburg Poker

Bets and Bonus Bet

Placing Your Bets: To get started, every player must put down equal stakes on both the 'Ante' and 'Blind' spots. This needs to happen before any cards are dealt and will be verified by the dealer.Bets: At the start of the game, all players must place equal bets on the ante and blind betting fields. This must be done before the first card is dealt and is checked by the dealer.

The Bonus Bet: If you're feeling lucky, you can place a 'Trips' bonus bet. This side bet pays out based on a specific table if you land three of a kind or better. The best part? The Trips bonus is independent, meaning you can win it regardless of whether you beat the dealer in the main game.Bonus Bet: Optionally, you can also place the Trips bonus bet. The bonus bet pays out according to a payout table if you achieve three of a kind or a better hand. Thus, the Trips bonus bet offers an extra chance of attractive payouts, regardless of the outcome of the main game.

Once all the bets are set, the dealer distributes two hole cards to each player and takes two for themselves.

First Betting Round (Pre-Flop)

You now have the following options:

  • check (e.g. with a weak hand), or
  • place a bet (3 or 4 times your ante)

Next, the dealer reveals the first three community cards, which is known as the 'flop'.

Second Betting Round (Flop)

If you haven't made a move yet, you now have the following choice:

  • continue to check, or
  • put down a 'Play' bet that is exactly double the amount of your original Ante.place a play bet equal to twice your ante

After that, the dealer flips over the final two community cards—the 'turn' and the 'river'—simultaneously.

Third Betting Round (Turn & River)

If you haven't made a move yet, you now have the following choice:

  • fold, or
  • place a play bet equal to your ante

Keep in mind: once this happens, you can no longer 'check' your hand!

UTH Payout Ratios

Showdown

Time to see who won. The dealer reveals their two private cards and determines their best five-card combination.

  • If the player wins: Both the Ante and Play bets are paid out at 1:1. The Blind bet is paid according to the payout table, provided the player has at least a straight; otherwise, the Blind bet is simply returned (a push).
  • In the event of a tie: All bets (Ante, Play, and Blind) are returned to the player as a push.
  • If the dealer wins: The house collects all bets, including the Ante, Play, and Blind.

About the Trips Bonus: This pays out if you hold three of a kind or higher. Since it only depends on your own hand, the dealer's cards don't affect this outcome.Trips Bonus Bet: Pays out if you have three of a kind or better, regardless of the outcome against the house. For this bet, only your cards count.

A helpful bonus rule: If the dealer fails to get at least a pair, every player gets their Ante bet back. Any winnings from the Blind, Play, or Trips bets are then paid out as usual.Special rule: If the dealer does not have at least a pair, all players receive their Ante bet back. Afterwards, payouts for Blind, Play and Trips are made as described above.

Want to Dive Deeper?

Casino Poker

Watch our explainer video to see Ultimate Texas Hold’em in action.

Why is this version of Poker so appealing?

  • You're in control: You decide exactly when and how much to wager. The bolder you are with early bets, the bigger your potential rewards!Your decision, your game: You choose when and how much you want to bet – the earlier, the higher your potential win!
  • The Trips Bonus: Get rewarded for hitting three of a kind or better, no matter how the main hand ends—it's a great way to snag extra wins.Trips Bonus Bet: Win with three of a kind or better, regardless of the outcome of the game – an extra chance for attractive payouts.
  • Excellent Odds: With RTPs reaching 99.2% on blinds and 96.5% on the Trips bonus, the game offers a fair and thrilling experience.Top RTPs: Up to 99.2% RTP on blinds and 96.5% on the Trips bonus guarantee exciting rounds of play.

Where can I try Ultimate Texas Hold’em?

Come visit any MERKUR Casino to experience this fresh, high-energy take on a poker classic. It's time to take your poker game to the next level!

MERKUR Casinos Saxony-Anhalt:

MERKUR Casinos in North Rhine-Westphalia:MERKUR Casinos North Rhine-Westphalia:

You can check the specific table game hours on the website of your local branch.

We look forward to seeing you soon! 😍

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