15 Types of Poker Games You Must Play

The game recognized as ‘Poker’ dates back to the 10th century, according to historical records, which indicate it originated from a domino-card game enjoyed by a Chinese emperor. The game has seen different iterations, ranging from five-card draw to seven-card stud. However, the most popular and extensively played format is Texas Hold’em, which gained widespread recognition and dominance in the 1970s, becoming the main format of the World Series of Poker. 

The rise in popularity of real money poker has been accelerated by the growth of online platforms, allowing you to engage in competitive play and wager real cash. Various versions of poker are available on applications such as Pocket52.

Here are the different types of poker variations that you must play.

1. Texas Holdem

Texas Holdem has been popular since the early 2000s, it is easy to play and that is how it has gained popularity in recent years. Texas Holdem can be played in different ways. Various betting restrictions often serve as a key area for examining games of Texas Hold ’em. The rules for betting and increasing the odds are present across all forms of Poker. Therefore, it’s understandable that the differences in betting restrictions affect the game of Poker. Texas Hold ’em games are thrilling due to their distinct betting framework.

2. Omaha Hi

This is the second most popular poker variation in the world. In Omaha Hi, the highest-ranking poker wins the full pot after each round. 

This version of poker closely resembles Texas Hold ’em Poker, with just a small difference: there’s a set limit. At the start of every round, players get four cards instead of the usual two. Like before, they must keep using five cards to build their poker hands. In each game, they have to rely on two of their four cards and three of their five shared cards. Having extra cards at the beginning of the game simplifies the process of forming a powerful hand.

3. Omaha Hi-Lo

There are many similarities between Omaha Hi and Omaha Hi-Lo poker games. After each round, the pot is divided equally, showing the top and bottom five-card hands. Various sets of initial cards can be used to determine the highest and lowest possible poker card values in a game. 

To be the player holding the highest cards, certain criteria must be met. Omaha 8-or-Better is another term for this type of poker game variation. A hand consisting of five cards ranked eight or lower is referred to as a “five-card draw.” Conversely, straights and flushes are completely useless in this version of Poker. The most probable low hand is an A-2-3-4-5 sequence, while the most probable high hand is an 8-7-6-5-4 sequence. It’s important to note that the lowest hand is ranked from the highest.

4. 5-Card Omaha

If you’re a lover of Omaha, this game is perfect for you. Join in on the action for a game of five-card Omaha. In this variation of Poker, instead of the usual four-hole cards, players receive five. Yet, they must still use two of their initial cards and three from the community to create the best possible hand. Adding another card has also simplified the process for players to craft powerful hands, thanks to this extra card. However, the game will be played under a pot-limit format. On the other hand, a no-limit tournament could be organized in some situations.

5. 5-Card Draw

In this particular Poker game, there’s not much you can do to influence the card distribution, but there’s a clever strategy you can employ! Aim to create the best possible five-card hand. Initially, each player is dealt five cards, and the betting starts. To advance to the next betting phase after making your initial bet, you’re allowed to exchange up to three cards before making your next bet.

 Following that, the player with the strongest hand among the remaining participants is declared the winner. It’s a straightforward game, yet players often try to gain an advantage by observing their opponents. The strength of your opponent’s hand can be hinted at by the number of cards they draw in their initial betting round. They might be attempting to bluff, hoping you’ll decide to fold.

6. 7 Card Stud

Before Texas Hold ’em went global, it was the leading poker game. Typically, it’s seen as harder because it involves more complexity and a higher level of skill is required to succeed. Unlike seven-card Stud, which is played with two to eight players and features no flip or community cards, the game starts with seven cards hidden and one visible. You’re tasked with selecting the best five-card hand from the seven you’re dealt. Throughout the game, your opponents reveal a portion of their cards to you after the betting round. The player with the top five-card hand from the seven cards they were dealt is declared the winner.

7. Badugi

The scoring method in Badugi bears a resemblance to traditional Poker, except that aces are considered less valuable than in the past. Rather than receiving five cards, players get four each from the dealer, and the betting phase commences. After the initial draw, players are allowed to draw up to four cards at once. This is followed by another round of betting, another draw, and then a third round of betting. A final betting phase occurs before the showdown, which is then followed by the last draw. The individual holding the most advantageous poker hand from their four cards emerges as the victor.

8. Chinese Poker

At the beginning of the game, the dealer distributes between two to four players a total of 13 cards each. These cards are then split into two groups of five, with one group containing three cards. In Chinese Poker, these groups are referred to as the front, middle, and rear. The goal is to have the lowest-value hand in the front and the highest-value hand in the rear. The order in which the cards are arranged on the table is as follows:

• First, the front hand, face down and the farthest away from the player
• Second, the middle hand, face down and the closest to the player
• Third, is the rear hand, and is the furthest from the player

Every participant declares if they are going to play their cards. Should this be true, a public declaration of their forthcoming earnings will be made! (the collective determines these amounts before the game). Contestants earn points for the cards they expose, and the victor is given royalty units.

9. Community Card

These games, like Texas Hold ’em, are a different version of the classic game of Poker, involving the dealer giving out cards to every player. Moreover, there are community cards that are laid out in front of everyone, visible to all players. These community cards, along with the individual cards held by the players, are merged to create one hand for each player.

10. Draw Poker

This is a modified version of standard Poker that allows players to exchange up to three cards with the dealer once they’ve been dealt their first set. The players then create a hand by merging these new cards with the cards they already have.

11. Pineapple Poker

This game is a modified version of Texas Hold ’em, featuring a few notable changes. At the start, each player is dealt three pocket cards, and one of these is discarded at the beginning of the betting phase. Following this, the standard rules of Texas Hold ’em are in effect. 

The Crazy Pineapple Poker version is the same, with the exception that players retain all three of their pocket cards until the round before the dealer introduces the fourth card, also referred to as the turn card. Lazy Pineapple Poker is a twist on Pineapple Poker that eliminates the requirement for a player to discard a card until the dealer reveals or distributes the river card (the concluding card of five community cards).

12. Razz Poker

If you’re searching for a type of low-stakes poker game that doesn’t rely on standard card values, then a Razz poker game is the right choice for you. The game aims to focus on playing a weak hand instead of a strong one. In Razz, players are not allowed to swap cards, making it a stud-based game.

13. 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

Before the betting phase kicks off, the dealer distributes five cards that are visible to everyone to each participant. Following this, the initial three rounds of drawing begin, allowing players to swap cards from their hands with those provided by the dealer. 

Subsequently, there will be another betting phase and another round of drawing. The game concludes with a last betting phase and the third round of drawing. In a 2-7 triple-draw poker game, there are two strategies for securing a win.

14. Horse Poker

Horse is the leading all-in game that combines five distinct poker styles. Besides Texas Hold ’em and Omaha, the lineup also features Razz and two types of Stud games, one of which is known as Stud Hi/Lo. It’s often seen in live matches to wage large wagers. Horse poker is among the rare games to have made its way into the World Series of Poker. To master all five poker styles in a single game, players must understand the rules.

15. Short Deck Poker

Short-deck poker is a different version of Texas Hold ’em. It’s now a common feature in high-stakes gambling events and competitions, alongside the standard poker games. The way players are ranked is slightly different from the usual poker scoring system. In this version, a full house hand doesn’t beat a flush, as the two and five cards are mysteriously missing from the deck.

Therefore, short-deck poker is played with a deck of 36 cards. Playing with a smaller deck means players have a better chance of quickly forming a strong hand. However, it’s important to remember that your opponent also has a similar advantage. Moreover, with a smaller number of cards in play, there are countless opportunities to acquire better-suited cards.

Conclusion

Here are various forms of Poker that have gained popularity worldwide, whether played online or with physical cards. It’s beneficial to become proficient in a specific Poker style. However, if you’re looking to avoid monotony in your gameplay, exploring different versions might be a good idea. Remember, the primary purpose of playing this game! Have fun with it.

Also Read: Top 10 Easy Online Poker Winning Strategies for Beginners

FAQs on Poker Variations

Q1. How many variations of poker are there?

Ans – There are 15 kinds of variations of poker.

Q2. What is the best variation of poker?

Ans- The most popular poker version by far is No Limit Holdem or Texas Holdem.

Q3. What is the hardest form of poker?

Ans- Omaha Hi-Lo is the hardest form of poker as of now.

Q4. What is the easiest variation of poker?

Ans- Five-card draw is the easiest version of poker.