When we think of playing poker, Texas Hold’em could be the number one thing that comes to mind. No wonder this is the most famous form of poker these days. Still, there are many other variants of the game that we should consider. There are Omaha High, Razz, and Five Card Draw, just to name a few. In fact, there are variants that combine many different games into one. Like HORSE.
In this article we will be learning about the different kinds of Poker games to play. So without any further delay let’s dig deeper into and let us know what different poker games you can play.
1. Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular variant of poker currently. If you find a website or a card room which offers poker games, surely you can find Texas Hold’em there. It has a wide selection of stakes and tables. Many gamers, be it amateur or maybe a pro, will know how to play Texas Hold’em. This variant is a widely famous variant of the poker game. Which is easy to play and very handy even for a beginner. Its advantage is that due to its popularity you can find this game anywhere where you find poker is offered.
2. Omaha High
Number 2 in the list is Omaha high, here in this game High or Hi means the highest hand given in the entire pot at showdown. It is basically played as the pot limit game. Therefore it is most commonly known as the Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). to be precise this game is similar to Texas Hold’em, however with a single small difference. This has 4 hole cards instead of 2 hole cards, which are to be dealt by each player. Therefore, it will not be tough to make a strong hand because it has the increased number of hole cards you are dealing with.
3. Omaha Hi/Lo
Omaha Hi Lo is the similar variant as Omaha High. The difference is that the pot at the showdown is split equally in two between the highest card ranked in poker hand, and the lowest ranked card in the poker hand. Therefore, we can use different combinations of hole cards so we can make both high and low cards. However, we need to make sure that some conditions must be met so that the low half of the pot be arwared. Hence, it is easier to win because the pot is split into two highest as well as the lowest hand.
4. Seven Card Stud
Before Texas Hold’em came into form, Seven Card stud used to hold the place of popularity. This one is a very different form of variant as compared to those that we mentioned above. In this game, every player gets its individual own hand. However, some of the cards from this will be face down and hidden from the players, and other cards will be face up for the opponents to see it. It has its own fun to be dealt with by its own hand. Yet having the ability to see your 4 opponents, and 7 cards during a hand as well.
5. Razz
Razz is the kind of Stud Poker, in which the players try to make the lowest hand possible. However in the ranking system of this game, we do not count straight and flushes here against the lowest hand that is made. Additionally, Aces are counted as low in this game. This means the lowest best hand will be A-2-3-4-5. Razz as this is the game of limit structure, bets and raises are more in the line. It makes it easier to take action. However, bet sizing cannot be considered here. It is always nice to see some of the cards of your opponents which will make it easier for you to guess the next action.
6. Five Card Draw
In this kind of draw poker, players seek to make the highest 5 ranked cards as poker hands. To start with all players are dealt with their own individual hand, this will remain hidden from the other players. This process can help you make some interesting and a strong poker hand for yourself. However, you will not have an idea how it is going to fare against the hands of the other players. Now because it gives you only one drawing round, it not only makes the game easier to understand in fact, it also makes quick moves from one hand to another. In short this form is a totally fun variant of the poker game.
7. Deuce to Seven Triple Draw
It is also known as 2-7 Triple Draw as a short form. It is a very exciting form of poker. It has all the players dealt with their own separate 5 card hand. In this lowball poker, players get three draw attempts so they can make the best low hand. Not like the other low forms of poker. However it is important to know in this straight and flushes do not count in making the low hand. Moreover, be sure that aces are always high in this game. Which is why it makes the best hand possible in the game like 7-5-4-3-2. This also means that a hand like A-2-3-4-5 is a Ace high and not a straight.
8. Badugi
This poker variant comes under the draw and lowball poker forms. Badugi is very unique among all other poker games. Especially due to the hand ranking system that it uses to decide the best hand. It originated in the 1980s and still Badugi is a very famous form of poker. In fact, you can still play it online in some selected online poker rooms. However this game is similar to a 2-7 triple draw. So if you are familiar with that variant you can easily be able to play Badugi.
9. Let It Ride Poker
Let it ride poker is similar to a five card stud. It is based on three player cards and two from the community cards, the two which are community cards are faced down. The best thing or the feature about this game form is that the players are given two chances to draw. This is the most common form of poker played worldwide, and now we can also play it online on any poker house website. People bet on the game in order to win cash or prices for real.
10. HORSE
HORSE includes five different variants of poker games Hold’em , Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud, Eight or better. HORSE is mostly played in the high stakes live games, in addition to selecting the most prominent tournament series. Like the world series of poker, WSOP. Playing mixed games like HORSE vanishes the routine of playing one single game one after the other. Therefore, it is the most enjoyable experience to have in playing poker.
11. Chinese Poker
Chinese poker is very different from every other poker form. Because it does not follow any tradition or or any specific game pattern. Still it is very beginner friendly and easy to understand. You simply need to have a good knowledge in terms of poker hands and rankings. However it is not that famous form but still people do play it occasionally. It back in the 1990s was very famous and widely played. The format of the game allows the different outcomes and it is exciting to play. It is said that luckn plays a very important role in the game results. This factor is great as it let you have a good chance of winning.
12. Short Deck
Short deck is a very fun game form of Hold’em which became the high stakes cash game every year. However hand ranking in this poker form is different from other traditional poker forms and it is good for reasons. 2s and 5s are removed from the deck. Hence, the game is played with only 36 playing cards. The fewer the cards the better are the chances to make good hands and win the game, still it also depends on the opponent’s capability of winning the game. With less cards it has higher variants and more chances of making a stronger hand more frequently.
13. Pineapple
Yes, you are right, pineapple is not just a tropical fruit but also a type of poker game. This variant is not as popular as the other ones above, but it is still very easy to play and easy to understand. In fact, it is much easier if you know how to play Hold’em; you will easily be able to play it too. However, pineapple is more entertaining than hold’em. Because being dealt with an extra hold card at the starting, you will have higher chances of making strong hands. It means that you will be more indulged in pots.
