Ultimate X Gold

Introduction

Ultimate X Gold is a variant of video poker created by Action Gaming, focusing on multi-play options like 3-play, 5-play, or 10-play. By wagering an additional five coins per hand on top of the standard five-coin maximum, players unlock a multiplier feature. Unlike the traditional Ultimate X, the multipliers apply to all hands but are limited to specific winning combinations and continue until they are utilized.

Rules

1. Players have the choice to engage in 3-play, 5-play, or 10-play variations of video poker.
2. When the player wagers between one to five coins, the gameplay mimics that of standard multi-play video poker.
3. Opting for a ten-coin bet per round activates the multiplier feature, with winnings calculated based on a five-coin wager; the additional five coins fund the feature itself.
4. In some instances, placing a maximum coin bet can also enhance the payout table for certain hands.
5. Except for deuces wild, hands ranging from three of a kind to four of a kind all come with selected multipliers. In the case of deuces wild, the multipliers pertain to hands from a flush and beyond up to four deuces.
6. Whenever the player achieves a winning hand on the deal, they are awarded a 'Multiplier Upgrade.'
7. Typically, a Multiplier Upgrade increases the multipliers on the three hands above the winning hand in the payout table. For instance, if a three of a kind is dealt, the multipliers for a straight, flush, and full house will be elevated.
8. The multipliers for specific hands follow a defined progression, detailed in the help section. An example can be found below.
9. A high pair on the deal will enhance the lowest three multipliers (three of a kind, straight, and flush), which is a deviation from rule 6.
10. Every hand has a maximum multiplier limit. Once this limit is reached, it cannot be increased further.
11. In both 3-play and 5-play modes, a high pair will only enhance the three of a kind multiplier.

Here is a sample multiplier chart. This particular one corresponds to 5-play Bonus Poker.

• Four aces: 1,4,9
• Four 2\"s to 4\"s: 1,4,9
• Four J\"s to K\"s: 3,4,9
• Four 5\"s to 10\"s: 1,4,9
• Full house: 1,3,4,6,7,9,10
• Flush: 1,3,4,6,7,8
• Straight: 1,3,4,5,7
• Three of a kind: 1,3,4,5

If that's a bit unclear, refer to the following image which illustrates how the bonus feature functions.

Example

In the above image, I received a full house on the deal, which is highlighted more clearly in the subsequent screenshot. Observe the initial multipliers at the beginning of the hand, as outlined.

• Four 2\"s to 4\"s: 9x (max)
• Four J\"s to K\"s: 4x
• Four 5\"s to 10\"s: 1x (implied)

After a brief animation, two multiplier upgrades were activated, detailed as follows:

• Four 2s to 4s: This hand qualified for an upgrade, but since it was already at the peak 9x, it stayed the same.
• Four Js to Ks: This moved up one slot on the multiplier scale, elevating from 4x to 9x.
• Four 5s to 10s: This too advanced one slot, from the base 1x to 4x.

In a subsequent hand, I managed to land four fives in one of my rounds. The four 5s to 10s had a 4x multiplier, awarded from the previous hand shown. This boosted the payout from 125 to 500. After using the multiplier, it reverted back to 1x once the win was confirmed.

Video

In this video, my goal is to clarify the rules by offering examples.

Strategy

Writing down an effective strategy for this game poses a significant challenge. The correct plays largely hinge on the fluctuating multipliers for every hand, which can change rapidly. To play this game effectively, I recommend processing every non-obvious hand through my video poker hand analyzer , incorporating the post-multiplier winnings for all hands in the payout layout. This approach would take considerable time.

On average, I can estimate that the multiplier will hover around 2.9 in this game. Here’s a strategy , reflecting 8-6 Jacks or Better, where winnings for a four of a kind to three of a kind were amplified by 3. This serves as a solid starting baseline, especially for holding 0 to 2 cards. Nevertheless, for hands that are close to completing certain winning combinations, such as four to a flush, I recommend considering the multipliers for those easily reachable hands.

Vultering

In games boasting an abundance of multipliers, players can expect a short-term return surpassing 100%. A savvy player might use this strategy until enough multipliers are depleted, rendering the game unfavorable before walking away.

I haven’t explored a vulturing strategy in extensive detail yet. However, it's important to remember that the average multiplier needs to be around 2.9 to match the return without the feature enabled. Almost half of the value derived from the multiplier feature is attributed to three of a kinds. After conducting some quick calculations with my video poker analyzer , I present the following vulturing guidance:

• Avoid playing if the three of a kind multiplier is at 1x.
• If the three of a kind multiplier stands at 3, then strong multipliers elsewhere are essential. Play only if the cumulative average of the next three multipliers (for a straight, flush, and full house) is no less than 4.
• For a three of a kind multiplier of 4, you’ll require at least average multipliers in other areas. Play only if the average of the next three multipliers (on a straight, flush, and full house) is no less than 3.
• When the three of a kind multiplier is 5, it’s advisable to partake. Play if the average of the next three multipliers (for a straight, flush, and full house) sits at a minimum of 2.
• If the three of a kind multiplier reaches 6 or above, you should always engage.

I want to stress that this vulturing strategy is preliminary and tends to err on the side of caution.

Three-Play Return Table

My colleagues at VideoPoker.com graciously shared with me the expected returns for Ultimate X Gold. As always, these returns are contingent on optimal strategies employed by players. The subsequent table outlines the returns for three-play. The pay table column displays the potential payouts for maximum bets, which can sometimes be less when wagering 1 to 5 coins per hand. In certain scenarios, identical games with the same pay table can vary in their multiplier tables. In these instances, the multiplier column indicates at least one of the variations.

Five-Play Return Table

The next table illustrates the returns for Ultimate X Gold across five-play mode. For further clarification regarding the column headers, please refer to the Three-Play section.

Ten-Play Return Table

This subsequent table outlines the returns for Ultimate X Gold in ten-play mode. For more details regarding column headings, please revisit the Three-Play section.

Analysis

Conducting a thorough evaluation of this game presents several challenges. Ultimately, the key takeaway regarding games from Action Gaming is that the returns when utilizing the feature are only marginally better than when it’s not used. Based on Magic Deal , the return with this feature averages 0.68% higher compared to without it. However, the potential for errors when using the feature is significantly higher for the average player, resulting in a considerably reduced actual return. This complexity arises because implementing the correct strategy for the feature is intricate and has yet to be documented by anyone, myself included.

External Links

• VideoPoker.com , where you can enjoy playing Ultimate X Gold. It requires a Gold level membership for access.
• Wizard of Vegas , where Ultimate X Gold is discussed.

Written by: Michael Shackleford