Ultimate Texas Hold'em Strategy Chart

How the betting works

You post equal Ante and Blind bets, then you and the dealer each get two hole cards and share five community cards. The catch is timing: pre-flop you can raise 4× your ante, after the flop only 2×, and at the river just 1×. There's no way to raise bigger later, so a strong hand wants to commit early and large.

Because the maximum raise shrinks street by street, the single most valuable skill in the game is knowing which pre-flop hands deserve the full 4× bet. Get that one decision right and you've captured most of the strategy.

Pre-flop: when to raise 4×

Raise the maximum 4× with any of these; otherwise check and see the flop for free:

• Any pair of 3s or better.
• Any Ace (any two cards including an Ace).
• King with a 5 or higher offsuit, or King with any second card suited (K-2s+).
• Queen with an 8 or higher offsuit, or Queen with a 6 or higher suited.
• Jack-Ten, or Jack with an 8 or higher suited.

The flop: bet 2× or check

If you checked pre-flop, the flop is your next chance. Bet 2× when the three community cards give you two pair or better, any pair that uses one of your hole cards, or four to a flush. Otherwise check again and wait for the river. Don't bet 2× on a pair that lives entirely on the board — that hand plays itself and gives you no edge.

The river: call 1× or fold

At the river you must either make the minimum 1× Play bet or fold and surrender your Ante and Blind. Call with a hidden pair — one that uses at least one hole card — or anything better. Fold only when your best five-card hand is nothing more than the shared board, because then you can't beat a dealer who shares the same cards. When in doubt this late, calling is usually right; folding a winner is the costlier mistake.

Drill the chart until it's automatic

Reading a chart and executing it under pressure are different skills. The Ultimate Texas Hold'em trainer deals real pre-flop spots and grades your 4×/check decision instantly, building a leak report so you can see which hands you misplay. When you're ready to play full hands through all three streets, the free Ultimate Texas Hold'em table lets you practice with play money, and the full strategy guide explains the reasoning and pay tables behind every move.

This is a play-money practice site for entertainment and learning only — no real-money wagering. Build the instincts here first, so the correct raise is second nature before anything is ever at stake.

Frequently asked questions

What is the house edge in Ultimate Texas Hold'em?

With correct strategy the house edge is about 2.2% of the ante, or roughly 0.5% of your total action (element of risk) — one of the better bets in the casino.

When should you raise 4× pre-flop?

Raise the max 4× with any pair of 3s or better, any Ace, and strong combos like K-5 offsuit or better, K-2 suited or better, Q-8 offsuit or better, Q-6 suited or better, J-T, and J-8 suited. That early commitment is where most of the game's value comes from.

Is it ever right to fold at the river?

Only when your best five-card hand is just the community board, so you can't beat the dealer. If you hold even a hidden pair, you call the 1× bet.