Poker is a very popular game played around the world, and it requires both skill and luck. Today, there are many types of poker games for players to choose from. In this guide, we will talk about the most popular poker game types like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and more. Poker comes in a wide variety that caters to everyone’s tastes and talents. Whether it’s the quick pace of Texas Holdem or strategy in Seven-Card Stud, you’ll definitely get something for you. Knowing the rules and strategies of each variant provides an advantage that each player should leverage in order to improve their overall experience of play.
If you’re a beginner, you should begin with Texas Hold’em and later try other variants as you master the game. The secret sauce to getting success in poker is discipline and an always-learning attitude.
What are Poker Game Variants?
Poker game variants are different types of poker, each with its playing style, rules, and ranking hands features. This is interesting because there are different options available making it possible for players to select different options. Next, we’ll look at some of the popular poker variants you might want to try.
Popular Poker Variants You Should Know
1. Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game today. Almost every card room or online poker site features it, offering many tables and stakes. Since the early 2000s, No Limit Texas Hold’em has been widely televised and easy to learn, with simple hand rankings and rules. Its popularity soared after Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 World Series of Poker win, inspiring many to play online. The game is easy to learn, with plenty of resources available. While its popularity makes it widely available, the abundance of tutorials has reduced the skill gap between pros and casual players.
2. Omaha Hi
Omaha Hi is the second most popular poker game after Texas Hold’em. In this game, players aim to get the highest hand, which wins the entire pot at showdown. Like Texas Hold’em, players must create the best 5-card hand, but each player gets 4 hole cards instead of 2. You must use exactly 2 of these hole cards and 3 community cards. This makes it easier to form strong hands. Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is the common format, with betting limited to the pot size. Though it’s easy to learn, the game has high variance due to closer hand strengths.
3. Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo, also called Omaha 8-or-Better, is like Omaha Hi but splits the pot between the best high hand and the best low hand. To win the low hand, all five cards must be ranked 8 or lower. Straights and flushes don’t affect the low hand. The lowest hand is A-2-3-4-5, and the highest low hand is 8-7-6-5-4. Gameplay is similar to Texas Hold’em, with 5 community cards and multiple betting rounds. Since the pot splits, it’s easier to win a part. Bluffing is less important, so hand selection becomes more crucial.
4. 7-Card Stud
7-Card Stud was once the most popular form of poker before Texas Hold’em took over. In Stud, each player gets their own hand, with some cards face-down and others face-up for opponents to see. The goal is to make the best 5-card hand. Players start with an ante and receive two face-down cards and one face-up. Betting happens after each new face-up card is dealt, with the highest card leading the action. The final round gives each player one more face-down card. Showdown follows, and the best hand wins. It’s fun but often has limited betting opportunities.
5. 2-7 Triple Draw
2-7 Triple Draw is an exciting poker game where each player gets their own 5-card hand that no one else can see. Players have three chances to draw cards to create the best “low” hand. In this game, straights and flushes count against making a low hand, and Aces are always high. The best hand is 7-5-4-3-2, while A-2-3-4-5 is just Ace-high. Players make forced bets before receiving their cards and can choose to discard some or keep them. After each draw, players bet again. This game is easy to learn but can be less exciting for some.
6. 5-Card Draw
In the 5-Card Draw, players try to create the best 5-card hand. Each player receives a hidden hand, making the game exciting since you can’t see others’ cards. This poker variant appears often in movies, allowing viewers to quickly assess each player’s hand. The game is easy to learn, with one drawing round, two betting rounds, and five cards dealt. Action starts with blinds before dealing cards. Players can fold, call, or raise during the first betting round. After drawing cards, a final betting round occurs before the showdown, where the best hand wins the pot.
7. 5-Card Omaha
If you enjoy making strong hands easily in Omaha Hi, try 5-card Omaha! Each player starts with 5 hole cards instead of 4. To make the best hand, players must use exactly 2 hole cards and 3 community cards. The extra hole card increases the chances of stronger hands. This game usually follows a pot-limit format, but you might also see no-limit games. While not as popular as regular Omaha Hi, it’s still exciting for many players, especially online. Learning is easy since it’s similar to traditional Omaha, but you need good skills and a strong mindset to handle the game’s ups and downs.
8. Badugi
Badugi is a unique poker game that belongs to the “draw” and “Lowball” families. Unlike other poker types, it uses a different hand ranking system. It requires four cards for hand rankings, and players aim to have all cards in different suits. The goal is to make the lowest possible hand called a “Badugi,” which is four unpaired cards in different suits. The game starts with blinds, and players draw cards to improve their hands. Badugi is less popular than other poker games but still played in some online rooms and home games. It takes time to learn its rules.
9. HORSE
HORSE is not a separate poker variant; it combines five different games: Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz (Stud Lo), Stud (Stud Hi), and Eight-or-Better (Stud Hi/Lo). Players often enjoy HORSE in high-stakes live games and tournaments like the World Series of Poker. Mixed games like Horse make poker more exciting by testing players’ skills in different game types. Learning HORSE can be challenging, as it combines five variants into one game. Each game follows its normal rules, and players switch games after each round. While Horse offers variety, single-game specialists may struggle.
10. Razz
Razz is a type of Stud Poker where players aim to make the lowest possible hand. In this game, straights and flushes don’t count against a low hand, and Aces are low. The best hand is A-2-3-4-5. Razz is less popular, often included in mixed games like Horse. It’s easy to learn since players can quickly identify the lowest hand from their cards. Gameplay is similar to normal Stud Poker, starting with an ante and two face-down cards. Players then reveal cards and bet, trying to have the lowest hand by the end.
11. Chinese Poker
Chinese poker is quite different from other poker games. It’s easy for beginners. While it’s not very popular, it saw some attention in the mid-1990s with WSOP events. Usually, four players play together, but two or three can join. Each player gets 13 cards and forms three hands: the strongest five-card hand, a middle-strong hand, and the weakest three-card hand. Players earn points based on their hands. Luck plays a big part, giving beginners a fair chance, but developing a long-term strategy can be tough due to the luck factor.
12. Short Deck
Short Deck is a fun version of Hold’em that has become popular in high-stakes games and tournaments recently. It uses only 36 cards because the 2’s through 5’s are removed. This change alters hand rankings, making flushes stronger than full houses. Players have better chances of making hands, but they should also consider their opponents’ strength. The game starts with all players placing an ante. Betting proceeds like regular Hold’em after community cards are dealt. Short Deck offers thrilling action but has different strategies than traditional Hold’em. Players need to adapt their tactics for this exciting variant.
13. Pineapple
Pineapple is a fun variant of poker that some people enjoy. It’s not as popular as Texas Hold’em, but it’s easy to learn, especially if you already know Hold’em. In Pineapple, players receive three hole cards instead of two, which makes for stronger starting hands. Although it has never been played in a WSOP event, some small EPT events feature it. Pineapple is mostly played in cash games at home rather than in casinos. While it offers more action, players need to adjust their strategies to handle the extra card effectively.
What are the Main Differences Between Live and Online Poker?
If you feel tired of playing on poker websites and want to try your luck at a real casino, there are a few things to know. The biggest difference is that live poker plays much slower. In online poker, players usually see 70-90 hands dealt each hour, but in a live game, you might only see 25-30 hands.
In live poker, you have to move the chips yourself and pay the blinds and antes by hand. Online poker sites do this for you automatically, but in a live setting, it’s all manual. Always pay attention to when it’s your turn to pay the blinds or make a move, or you might slow down the game.
When you play online, the software automatically calculates the pot size for you. In live poker, you have to do this on your own. The dealer can spread out the pot to help you count, but they won’t tell you how much money is in it. However, if you’re not sure how much an opponent has bet or raised, the dealer can confirm that amount for you.
The Benefits of Expanding Your Poker Skills
Learning other poker games besides Texas Hold’em is important for several reasons. While mastering one game is beneficial, knowing multiple variants enhances your skills. For instance, in Stud Poker, you must remember many face-up cards, which helps your observation skills in Hold’em games.
Additionally, being familiar with different games allows you to join friends for mixed poker nights without missing out. You’ll also enjoy playing various games online, making you more competitive in major tournaments like PokerStars’ SCOOP and WCOOP. Overall, expanding your poker knowledge opens up more opportunities and fun in the poker world.
FAQs
How many types of poker are there?
There are 15 types of poker, with the most popular being Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.
Which poker type is the best?
Texas Hold’em is the most popular type. It is used in the biggest poker tournaments, like the WSOP Main Event and the WPT World Championship.
What is the hardest type of poker?
The 8 Game Mix, which includes eight different poker games, is the most complex poker game in the world.
What is the two-player poker game?
You can play 5-Card Draw with just two players. Each player gets five cards and can swap some or all of them to improve their hand. After swapping, there is a final betting round, and the player with the best five-card hand wins.
What is the pineapple poker game?
Pineapple is similar to Texas Hold’em but with a twist. Players get three cards instead of two. The game can vary based on how players use the third card, and it can be played with limits, pot limits, or no limits.
What are three pairs in poker?
You cannot make three pairs in poker. You can have one pair in your hand and two pairs among the five community cards, but you still use only five cards for your hand. Three pairs do not win anything.
What is seven-card poker called?
Seven-card stud is another name for seven-card poker. Before Texas Hold’em became popular in the 2000s, seven-card stud was one of the most played poker games at home and in eastern U.S. casinos.
What is five-card poker called?
Five-card draw, also known as cantredraw, is the simplest type of poker. It serves as the foundation for video poker and is often the first type that new players learn.
What is the strongest card in poker?
In a standard deck of 52 cards, the ranking from highest to lowest is: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
