Why Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em Minimum Bets Are Higher

Poker pit games usually have the same minimum bet at a casino. These games include Crazy 4 Poker, DJ Wild, High Card Flush, I Luv Suits Poker, Let It Ride, Mississippi Stud, and Three Card Poker. However, Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em seem to be leaving that price point and moving into more expensive levels. There is a reason for this. 

All the games mentioned above tend to have the lowest minimum bets in a casino. Some Las Vegas Strip casinos still have a $5 minimum bet for these games. The reason for this is that there are required raises to stay in the game. There are also side bets that help the casino’s bottom line. These games require at least double the minimum bet to play without being forced to fold early.

Another common theme among these games is that the house advantage is over one percent. Some go up to three percent. These games are generally faster than Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, too.

Texas Hold’em pit games have a low house advantage 

Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em have the lowest house advantage of all poker table games. It is around 0.5%. That is comparable to a six-deck 3/2 blackjack that hits soft 17 and allows surrender and re-split aces. The difference is that the blackjack game is much faster and usually has a minimum bet in the $25 range in Las Vegas. 

To compare, a Heads Up Hold’em or Ultimate Texas Hold’em table typically deals 30 to 40 hands per hour, depending on the number of players at the table. A blackjack table is at least twice as fast.

Players learned the strategy 

The strategy for Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em is difficult, especially when compared to games like Three Card Poker and High Card Flush. Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em require players to learn the strategies related to preflop action, as well as after the flop and on the river.

Websites like Wizard of Odds broke down the strategy. This helped players master the game. While there are still plenty of bad players at these tables, expert ones give the players too small of a margin to deal it for low limits.

You are still better off playing Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em 

While you may find the minimum bet higher at Heads Up Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em than other poker pit games, it is still the best option. The lower house advantage and slow speed of the game make its expected loss lower, even when the minimum is more than double that of the other games.

However, it is important that your bankroll can withstand the higher minimum bet. If not, you are better off at a game like High Card Flush or I Luv Suits Poker. 

For lower limits, play video Ultimate Texas Hold’em 

Ultimate Texas Hold’em is available in video form. We found it at Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, and Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in North Carolina. The minimum bet is $5 at Cosmopolitan and $1 at the two NC casinos. The live game is usually $25 at Cosmopolitan and $15 in North Carolina.