Worst UTH player ever.
One guy who had a $3 unit, and about $40 behind him, got pocket aces and only made a 3x raise.
I've seen people check pocket aces here, and I suspect a number of you have too. So what makes this so special?
This casino has a promotion: get your aces cracked, win free money.
Current value of the "Aces Cracked"? $230
Clearly, I'm just overthinking things, but this is sticking in my craw like a crab fork. I mean.. HOW?! What is he POSSIBLY afraid of? Does he think he's going to win? If so, why is he not betting 4x? Does he think he's going to lose? If so, why is he not checking it to the river to maximize his Aces Cracked profit?
If the creator of this game posts here, I would also like to mention that I think UTH is one of the best designed games in the past decade, imo, even with the redundant bet option. :)
Quote: tringlomaneHaha. But there is definitely more leaky plays than this to be honest; however, this one definitely makes no sense. Honestly, I feel like the game designer should have got rid of the 3x raise since it's never used in optimal strategy and would simplify the game slightly.
If the creator of this game posts here, I would also like to mention that I think UTH is one of the best designed games in the past decade, imo, even with the redundant bet option. :)
I was concerned players would shy away from making the 4x bet. Of course, it makes me wince whenever I see someone actually bet 3x.
--Roger
Tonight playing UTH at the Orleans, I've seen players check Ace-7 and KQ suited type hands, and check after safely connecting with the board, etc.
The way to really properly play this game is to bet correctly, especially concerning betting 4x every single time it is warranted. Other peeves include folding hands where amost certainly only the board would play, etc.
Love this game, and right now it's a toss up between this and Texas hold'em Bonus. Getting paid bigger money for bigger hands is quite seductive, but I think for straight up poker head to head Bonus is a better game.
Quote: PacmanI was concerned players would shy away from making the 4x bet. Of course, it makes me wince whenever I see someone actually bet 3x.
--Roger
You authored UTH? Great game, good work! I actually choose where I gamble based on whether or not UTH is offered. It is much easier to play and understand than THB.
Quote: NickyDimCasual players of this game don't realize the real way to get ahead in this game is the 4x play. They are hoping for the full house to pay their trips, and they are not really playing the poker aspect of the game. Whenever I'm in a position of beating the dealer I'm looking to put as much up as possible. You have to, to stay ahead of the blind bet that sits out there until you lose, because getting paid on it once every 10 hands is not going to cover you 1x bet on the river.
Love this game, and right now it's a toss up between this and Texas hold'em Bonus. Getting paid bigger money for bigger hands is quite seductive, but I think for straight up poker head to head Bonus is a better game.
What most players don't realize when assessing the initial bet is that, unlike regular poker where they have to beat all players at the table, in UTH they only have to beat the dealer. Q-8 isn't a good hand among 5 hands, but it is pretty good in head-to-head.
Myself, I bet it 4x, even sometimes taking a deep breath first, because I was told it was the best strategy. When I saw it drawn out, that betting that extra unit when you were favored is the difference between it being a decent carnival game and a bad one, that reinforced my resolve to play that way without reserve.
Quote: MoscaWhat most players don't realize when assessing the initial bet is that, unlike regular poker where they have to beat all players at the table, in UTH they only have to beat the dealer. Q-8 isn't a good hand among 5 hands, but it is pretty good in head-to-head.
A lot of casual poker players are very poor at heads up "real" poker, so I guess this is isn't too surprising. Dealers at this game tend to give wrong advice too. I think this is because they don't want the customers getting annoyed losing 4x.
I actually had a dealer at the D yelling at me for raising on hands like AQ, and she got really upset when I would raise 4x on K4s. It didn't help that she was hitting big hands left and right, thus confirming the "correctness" of her advice. She was telling me that the proper strategy is to raise 3x on AA or KK, check any other good hand, otherwise fold. Never raise 4x unless I really want to gamble. The worst part is that while I was getting spanked playing proper strategy another guy was winning big following her advice and hitting bonus bets. It's kind of amazing how casino employees have no concept of probability and variance.
Quote: jml24A lot of casual poker players are very poor at heads up "real" poker, so I guess this is isn't too surprising. Dealers at this game tend to give wrong advice too. I think this is because they don't want the customers getting annoyed losing 4x.
I actually had a dealer at the D yelling at me for raising on hands like AQ, and she got really upset when I would raise 4x on K4s. It didn't help that she was hitting big hands left and right, thus confirming the "correctness" of her advice. She was telling me that the proper strategy is to raise 3x on AA or KK, check any other good hand, otherwise fold. Never raise 4x unless I really want to gamble. The worst part is that while I was getting spanked playing proper strategy another guy was winning big following her advice and hitting bonus bets. It's kind of amazing how casino employees have no concept of probability and variance.
I tell dealers that I play my hand as I see fit: if they wish to play my hand, THEN they have to cover the loses.
For some dealers, players playing their own hands as they see fit against these dealers "beliefs" (regardless of whether the dealer is advising correct strategy or gobbledygook), is the punishment these dealers deserve. To them, it is like scratching fingernails across a chalkboard when they shouldn't care in the least.
Quote: PacmanI was concerned players would shy away from making the 4x bet. Of course, it makes me wince whenever I see someone actually bet 3x.
--Roger
I can only imagine your reaction to what I witnessed twice this week: A player try and bet 2x preflop, and when the dealer said it was 3x or 4x preflop, they picked up their chips and checked.
You know, there is an upside to this player side misplays - from the casino operators' POV:
They say upstairs, "You know, the table hold on this UTH prouct is very fine, in addition to being popular! - We must call Roger to order more of these things!!"
I just don't see how that is a bad thing.....
Don't teach people how to play it properly, just let the casino install more and keep limits low.
Quote: dwheatleyIt's a great thing. It's my favourite carny game, a welcome break from AP pursuits.
Don't teach people how to play it properly, just let the casino install more and keep limits low.
Hehe, this.
When I bet 4x with a K or A, let alone QJ, I get a lot of heat for "making a bad play" when I lose. But I'm really lucky all those times I do it and win.
The other thing I notice is that UTH players don't believe you when they ask why and you tell them; they think you're nuts. Every 3 Card player knows Q-6-4 (other than those who play every hand regardless, and many of them know it and don't care). And most LIR players know not to chase flushes and straights and two pairs. But you can't get people to make that advantage 4x bet on Q-8, they just won't do it.
Q-8o is the most marginal raising hand. If you can see even one other Q or 8 in other players' hands, you should check rather than bet 4x. Same thing with K-6o and K-5o.Quote: MoscaThe other thing I notice is that UTH players don't believe you when they ask why and you tell them; they think you're nuts. Every 3 Card player knows Q-6-4 (other than those who play every hand regardless, and many of them know it and don't care). And most LIR players know not to chase flushes and straights and two pairs. But you can't get people to make that advantage 4x bet on Q-8, they just won't do it.
That said, I did offer to take half of a players 4x $40 bet when he had 10-8s, which is about a 50.51% chance to win. Yes, I am a despicable E.V. chaser...:) (By the way, he lost.)
Quote: dwheatleyIt's a great thing. It's my favourite carny game, a welcome break from AP pursuits.
Don't teach people how to play it properly, just let the casino install more and keep limits low.
Actually my request would be that people who have no friggin' clue how to play stop trying to teach me how to play it wrong.
Even when the stress of watching someone check a dozen consecutive 4x hands and then whine about their bad luck pushes me to the breaking point, I go for a walk. But just as sure as I'm typing this to you, these people will then turn around and tell me how reckless I am for making "crazy raises" with "marginal" hands like A9o and how "stupid" I am for not betting the trips (or only betting $1 on it where allowed), because "that's where you make your money".
I've long since been willing to live and let live with other gamblers, at this and every other game. I'll be damned if the day ever comes where they return the favor.
I also saw a player raise the flop with no pair, no draw, and no high cards in his hand.
This game must to be a goldmine for casinos.
This past weekend when I played, I played correctly 99% of the time (sometimes maybe NOT, as I'm just starting playing this, so something like K3suited I didn't know to go 4x on)
When I'd raise with like J10suited, and lose, I'd always get berated...and then I always got the "You should play trips, you make so many bonus's; that's where the money's at!"
and also "You are a very aggressive player, this game is going to cost you a lot." LOL!...as I hit&ran on this table for $600 this weekend (3 +$100 sessions, and then one +$300 session where I hit a straight flush)
Quote: IbeatyouracesI've been known to check A,6 preflop then in the very next hand raise 4x with 10,3. Don't necessarily call these players stupid. They may have more info than you.
Very nice. I've only found this once at UTH.
