How to Use Our Ultimate Texas Hold'em Calculator
Our calculator gives you the mathematically optimal play for Ultimate Texas Hold'em in three simple steps. Recommendations appear when the calculator service is available.
- 1Add your two hole cards — Click two cards from the deck to set your player hand. You can remove a card by clicking it again.
- 2Add the board cards — Add either 0 cards (preflop), 3 cards (after the flop), or 5 cards (after the river). The calculator only evaluates at these decision points.
- 3See the optimal move and EV — The tool shows the best play (Play 4x, Play 3x, Play 2x, Play 1x, Check, or Fold) and the expected value for each option so you can make the right decision at the table.
Understanding the Moves
In Ultimate Texas Hold'em you must decide how much to play (or whether to check or fold) at preflop, flop, and river. Here is what each move means:
- Play 4x — Put in four times your Ante bet. In UTH you can go 4x only before the flop; it is the strongest commitment and pays the best when you win.
- Play 3x — Put in three times your Ante. Available after the flop if you did not go 4x preflop.
- Play 2x — Put in two times your Ante. Typically used after the flop or river when you did not make a larger play earlier.
- Play 1x — Put in one times your Ante (match the Ante). The minimum play amount, often used when your hand is marginal.
- Check — Do not put in an extra Play bet; you stay in the hand with just your Ante and Blind. You still compete for the main pot.
- Fold — Give up your hand and lose your Ante and Blind. The calculator recommends folding when continuing is expected to lose more money on average.
The EV (Expected Value) numbers show the average profit or loss per unit bet for each option. A positive EV is better than a negative one; the calculator highlights the option with the highest EV as the optimal move.
Ultimate Texas Hold'em Calculator FAQ
When should I use the calculator?
Use it before you play — and at preflop, after the flop, or after the river when you are unsure. Enter your two hole cards and the board cards you can see; the tool will show the optimal move and EV for that situation. Bookmark this page and refer to it when playing live dealer UTH online.
What do the EV numbers mean?
EV is expected value: the average amount you gain or lose per unit bet over the long run. A positive number (e.g. +0.15) means the play is profitable on average; a negative number means it loses money over time. The calculator recommends the move with the highest EV for your exact cards and board.
What is the Trips side bet?
The Trips side bet is an optional wager in Ultimate Texas Hold'em that pays when your final hand is three of a kind or better (e.g. a set, straight, flush). The calculator shows whether your current hand qualifies and the payout tier when it does; whether to place the side bet is a separate decision and typically has a higher house edge than the main game.
Does this work for live dealer Ultimate Texas Hold'em?
Yes. The calculator is designed for the same rules used at live dealer UTH tables (e.g. Evolution and other providers). Enter your hole cards and the board as you see them at preflop, flop, or river; the recommended move applies to that situation whether you are playing online live dealer or in a casino.