Ultimate X Poker takes an already much-loved casino favorite and adds an extra level of excitement and a chance to boost winnings significantly. Video poker has long been the go-to game for many thanks to its high RTP, with many variants being over 99%.
Our guide takes a closer look at how to play Ultimate X Poker, how it differs from standard video poker, and the best strategies to improve your chances of winning.
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Ultimate X Online Poker is a versatile video poker casino game featuring nine different variants along with an exciting bonus multiplier feature. You can play in standard mode or opt for the bonus feature, which applies a multiplier to your next hand after a win by doubling the standard maximum bet. The game was created by IGT in 2020 and quickly gained popularity for its innovative mechanics and exciting gameplay. In 2023, the game earned the prestigious EKG award for “Top Performing Video Poker Game.”
How Ultimate X Video Poker Works
What makes Ultimate X Poker different from learning how to win standard video poker in standard games is its unique bonus multiplier feature, which adds an extra layer of strategy and potential for bigger payouts.
To activate this feature, you need to bet 10 credits per hand, which is double the typical 5-credit maximum in regular versions. However, you always have the option to play the standard game by adjusting your bet to 5 credits or less, disabling the bonus round.
When the bonus feature is active, you earn a multiplier on your next winning hand, which can range from 2x to 12x, depending on the strength of the hand and the specific variant you’re playing.
The multiplier also varies based on the version you’re playing, whether it’s 3-play, 5-play, or 10-play. These simply refer to the number of hands you play per round.
For example, in the 10-play version, your bet is multiplied by the number of hands, so if you’re betting 10 credits per hand, you’ll be wagering 100 credits per round. The highest multipliers are available in the 10-play version, offering the most potential for big wins.
The table below shows the available multipliers for Jacks or Better in all three play modes. Most of the multipliers are the same, but higher-ranking hands like four-of-a-kind, straight flush, and royal flush are higher for 10-play. The multipliers for other game variants are different, so make sure to check the variant you are playing.
Hand
3-Play
5-Play
10-Play
Pair of Jacks or Better
2x
2x
2x
Two Pair
3x
3x
3x
Three-of-a-Kind
4x
4x
4x
Straight
7x
7x
7x
Flush
11x
11x
11x
Full House
12x
12x
12x
Four of a kind
2x
3x
3x
Straight Flush
2x
2x
7x
Royal Flush
2x
2x
7x
Ultimate X Online Variants & Multipliers
As mentioned earlier, Ultimate X Poker offers nine video poker variants, each with its own payout table and, in the bonus version, unique multipliers for winning hands. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of how each variant differs and the maximum multipliers they offer for each hand.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Jacks or Better has straightforward rules and is one of the most popular variants, which you will find at almost all top offshore casinos. There are no wild cards, and you need at least a pair of jacks or better to win. There’s a 9:1 payout for a Full House and 6 to 1 for a flush.
Hand
Multiplier
Pair of Jacks or Better
2x
Two Pair
3x
Three-of-a-Kind
4x
Straight
7x
Flush
11x
Full House
12x
Four of a kind
3x
Straight Flush
7x
Royal Flush
7x
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Bonus Poker is similar to Jacks or Better but with higher payouts for certain Four of a Kind hands. Four Aces pay 80 to 1, four 2s, 3s, or 4s pay 40 to 1, and all other Four of a Kinds pay the standard 25 to 1. The payouts for Full House and Flush are slightly reduced, but overall, Bonus Poker offers similar volatility and strategy to Jacks or Better.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
4x
Straight Flush
4x
Four Aces
4x
Four 2s,3s,4s
4x
Four 5s thru Ks
3x
Full House
12x
Flush
11x
Straight
8x
Three-of-a-Kind
4x
Two Pair
3x
Jacks or Better
2x
Double Bonus
Double Bonus
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Double Bonus Poker provides higher payouts for Four of a Kind hands, particularly four aces with a payout of 160 to 1, compared to Jacks or Better 125 to 1. However, to compensate for this, Flushes and Full Houses pay less. A Full House pays 8 to 1, and Flush pays 5 to 1, whereas in Jacks or Better, they pay 9 to 1 and 6 to 1, respectively.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
4x
Straight Flush
4x
Four Aces
4x
Four Aces with 2,3,4
4x
Four 2s,3s,4s with Ace 2,3,4
4x
Four 2s,3s,4s
4x
Four 5s thru Kings
3x
Full House
12x
Flush
10x
Straight
8x
Three-of-a-Kind
4x
Two Pair
3x
Jacks or Better
2x
Double Double Bonus
Double Double Bonus
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Double Double Bonus Poker is similar to Double Bonus Poker but with the key difference of kicker cards. Certain hands, like Four Aces, receive higher payouts when paired with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker. For instance, Four Aces normally pay 160 to 1, but with a kicker, the payout increases to 400 to 1.
The Ultimate X Poker Double Double Bonus strategy focuses on aiming for these hands, as they offer bigger payouts. This added bonus increases volatility, but also the potential for larger wins.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
4x
Straight Flush
4x
Four Aces
4x
Four Aces with 2,3,4
4x
Four 2s,3s,4s with Ace 2,3,4
4x
Four 2s,3s,4s
4x
Four 5s thru Kings
3x
Full House
12x
Flush
10x
Straight
8x
Three-of-a-Kind
4x
Two Pair
3x
Jacks or Better
2x
Bonus Deluxe
Bonus Deluxe
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Four of a Kind is what you are aiming for in Bonus Deluxe Poker, as Four of a Kind pays out at 400 to 1 compared to Jacks or Better’s 160 to 1. Unlike Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus, all four-of-a-kinds regardless of ranking, payout at this rate rather than specific bonus hands.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
7x
Straight Flush
7x
Four of a Kind
3x
Full House
12x
Flush
11x
Straight
7x
Three-of-a-Kind
4x
Two Pair
3x
Jacks or Better
2x
Triple Double Bonus
Triple Double Bonus
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Triple Double Bonus is the highest-volatility video poker game variant. It offers increased payouts on premium hands like Four Aces with a kicker that pays out at 4,000 to 1. However, this comes at the price of reduced payout odds on other hands, such as full houses and flushes, which are lower than those of other variants.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
2x
Straight Flush
2x
Four Aces with an 2,3, 4
2x
Four 2s,3s,4s with Ace,2,3,4
2x
Four Aces
2x
Four 2s,3s,4s
2x
Four 5s Thru Kings
2x
Full House
12x
Flush
10x
Straight
8x
Three of a Kind
4x
Two Pair
3x
Jacks or Better
2x
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
In Deuces Wild, all four Deuces (2s) are wild, meaning they can substitute for any other card to help form a winning hand, and the best Ultimate X Deuces Wild strategy is to always hold any 2 cards in your hand.
This significantly increases the odds of hitting strong hands. However, to balance this advantage, the paytable is adjusted, and pairs and two pairs do not qualify as winning hands in this variant.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush no deuces
4x
Royal Flush with Deuces
4x
Four Deuces
4x
Five of a Kind
3x
Straight Flush
12x
Four of a Kind
7x
Full House
5x
Flush
5x
Straight
3x
Three-of-a-Kind
2x
Deuces Wild Bonus
Deuces Wild Bonus
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
Deuces Wild Bonus has the same rule as the standard Deuces Wild. The difference between the two is the pay table. In the bonus variant, you get higher payouts for certain hands, especially “wild” hands, those that use a 2, such as Five Aces (four aces and a wild 2), a wild royal flush, and four 2s.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
2x
Four 2s plus Ace
2x
Four 2s
2x
Royal Flush with 2s
2x
Five Aces
2x
Five 3a,4s, and 5s
2x
Five 6s thru Kings
2x
Straight Flush
12x
Four of a Kind
7x
Full House
6x
Flush
4x
Straight
3x
Three of a Kind
2x
Joker Poker
Joker Poker
Min Bet: 0.10
Max Bet: 5
Max Win: 4,000
Variant: 3 play, 5 play & 10 play
In Joker Poker, the game is played with 53 cards—a standard 52-card deck plus one joker. The joker acts as a wild card, substituting for any other card to help form a winning hand. While this increases the chances of winning, it also changes the paytable and multiplier structure. As a result, strong hands pay lower odds and receive smaller multipliers compared to other video poker Ultimate X variants.
Hand
Multiplier
Royal Flush
4x
Five of a Kind
4x
Royal Flush with Joker
4x
Straight Flush
4x
Four of a Kind
2x
Full House
7x
Flush
6x
Straight
5x
Three-of-a-Kind
4
Two pair
3x
Pair Kings or Better
2x
How to Play Ultimate X Poker
The mechanics of Ultimate X Poker are incredibly straightforward. To illustrate, let’s walk through an example using the Ultimate X Poker free version while playing Bonus Poker in a 3-play format. While 10-play is optimal for maximizing multipliers, 3-play better demonstrates how the game works.
Activating the Bonus Feature
Before starting, ensure the Bonus Feature is activated by betting 10 credits per hand. You’ll know it’s active from the “Bonus X Active” indicator at the bottom right of the screen.
Dealing and Holding Cards
Click Deal to receive five cards. You can hold or redraw from 0 to 5 cards. In this example, we hold all four spades, aiming for a flush, then click “Draw.”
Winning Hands and Multipliers
We miss the flush but hit a pair of Jacks on the top line, which is a win. It pays out 5 credits and gives us a 2x multiplier in the next round for the top line.
Playing with Multipliers
On the next deal, we get three 9s, plus a 4 and an 8. Holding the 9s, we aim for a Full House or Four of a Kind. We don’t hit either of these, but still win with Three of a Kind on all three lines. The top line, benefiting from the previous 2x multiplier, pays 30 credits, while the other two lines pay 15 credits each. Now, with a 4x multiplier on all three lines for the next round, our potential winnings increase significantly. This cycle of winning, earning multipliers, and maximizing payouts is what makes Ultimate X Poker so exciting.
The Best Ultimate X Poker Strategy
When learning how to play video poker, each variant has an optimal strategy to maximize your chances of winning. While the strategy for Ultimate X Poker is largely similar to other versions, there are key differences, mainly in balancing the risk between which cards to redraw and the active multipliers.
For instance, if you’re dealt two low-suited cards and three other low, non-suited cards, you’d usually discard everything to try for a better hand. However, if a multiplier is already active, you might choose to hold the two suited cards. With the multiplier, the potential payout for completing a flush becomes much more valuable, making it worth the risk.
Additionally, if you manage to hit the flush, not only will you receive a larger payout, but you’ll also benefit from a higher multiplier in the next round, increasing your chances for another big win.
A unique live casino strategy for Ultimate X Poker is “vulturing.” This is simply checking machines for leftover active multipliers, as wins active multipliers on the next round. However, some players may leave the bonus feature on their last round, essentially giving the next player an Ultimate X free video poker bonus round.
Always remember when playing video poker Ultimate X, multipliers activate for the next round when you hit a winning hand. If you're planning to leave, be sure to deactivate the bonus feature on your final round; otherwise, you're unnecessarily wasting money.
5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Playing Ultimate X Poker
Video poker is a relatively simple game, and while Ultimate X Poker online adds a bit more complexity, it remains easy to learn. However, mastering the game and maximizing your chances of profiting takes more skill. By following these top five tips, you can enhance both your enjoyment and your odds of winning.
Always Play the Max Bet
Always Play the Max Bet
It’s important to remember that the multiplier feature only activates when you bet the maximum (10 credits) per hand. If you don’t bet the maximum, you can still play, but the multiplier features are not activated.
The best Ultimate X Poker strategy is also always to play ten hands, as you receive the maximum multiplier amounts.
Familiarize Yourself with the Multiplier Table
Familiarize Yourself with the Multiplier Table
There are nine Ultimate X video poker variants, each with its own unique multiplier table. Before playing, take the time to familiarize yourself with the multiplier values, as they directly impact the optimal strategy and the hands you should prioritize.
Adjust Your Strategy Based on Multipliers
Adjust Your Strategy Based on Multipliers
When using a standard video poker strategy, you would usually prioritize holding lower pairs. However, with Ultimate X Poker online, if you have a high multiplier on a specific hand, it can be more beneficial to hold and chase higher-paying hands.
Manage Your Bankroll
Manage Your Bankroll
The variance in Ultimate X Poker is extremely high since you must double the standard max bet to activate multipliers.
While hitting a multiplier can lead to massive payouts, even minor losing streaks can rapidly drain your bankroll, as without multipliers, even if you have low winning hands like pairs, you still lose money when you win.
You should start with a bankroll of 200 to 500 times your base stake to ride out the downswings and capitalize on multipliers and big wins when they come.
Play Free Ultimate X Poker
Play Free Ultimate X Poker
Before risking your own money, you can play Ultimate X Poker online for free in demo mode at many of the best online casinos. Even if you’re already familiar with video poker, it’s a great way to practice and get comfortable with the rules, multipliers, and optimal Ultimate X strategy before playing for real.
Conclusion
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What is the best game to play on Ultimate X Poker?
The best game really depends on your preferences, but Jacks or Better is a popular variant to play for both newcomers and experienced players, as it has straightforward rules and a high RTP.
What is the difference between Ultimate X and Ultimate X bonus streak?
When you play Ultimate X Bonus Streak video poker, the bonus you win will remain multiple hands rather than just the next hand, like in the standard Ultimate X mode.
Which Ultimate X poker game has the highest multiplier?
The largest multiplier when you play Ultimate X Poker is 12x. The hand to activate this multiplier depends on what variant you are playing, but it’s often a full house or a straight flush.
How many video poker variants are there in Ultimate X poker?
The Ultimate X Poker machine offers nine different video poker variants, including Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild, and Bonus Poker, amongst others.
Responsible Gambling
Maximizing winnings and earning multipliers aren’t the only things you need to consider when playing. Gambling responsibly and keeping yourself safe from potential risks is essential. Set a budget, avoid chasing losses, and use the responsible gambling tools provided by reputable casinos. If you need support, consider reaching out to one of the organizations below.
The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.
Joe Yarnold joined the ReadWrite team in 2024 as a content editor and writer. He has several years of experience writing informative and educational articles on gambling. He specializes in sports betting but has experience, and knowledge of all forms of gambling including casino games, poker, and horse racing.
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