Ultimate Texas Hold’em Strategy: Raise 4× Early

The biggest edge in Ultimate Texas Hold’em is making the full 4× raise pre-flop with the right hands — never a timid 3×.

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The strategy

• Raise the full 4× before the flop with: any pair 3-3+, any Ace, K-5 or better (K-2+ suited), Q-8 or better (Q-6+ suited), or J-10 (J-8+ suited).
• If you didn’t raise pre-flop, bet 2× on the flop with two pair or better, a hidden pair, or four to a flush.
• On the river, bet 1× if you beat a pair of 3s; otherwise fold.
• Trips and Blind bonuses pay automatically on strong hands.

The house edge

With this near-optimal play the house edge is about 2.2% per ante (~0.5% of total money wagered). This is a simplified version of the full optimal strategy.

21+ · For entertainment and education only. Long-run averages; nothing guarantees winning. Gamble responsibly — 1-800-GAMBLER.