Top 9 Types of Poker You Need To Know
Poker has exploded in popularity over the last couple of decades, becoming a mainstream sensation and even a major televised game. Mastering any single types of poker variation represents a significant achievement. Truly skilled players aim to become adept across a range of the most popular live poker formats, requiring broadly adaptable skills and deep strategic thinking tailored to each unique game.
Here are 9 famous poker variations played in online casinos, how to play them, example hands and the advantages of each are listed below:
1. Texas Hold’em
The most popular type of poker in the world is Texas Hold’em. Five cards are handed face up in the middle of the table, and each player is given two cards. They use their two “hole” cards and any three “community” cards to try to make the best five-card poker hand.
Key Features of Texas Hold’em
Easy to learn and understand
Fast-paced and exciting
Lots of action and betting opportunities
How to play Texas Hold’em
Each participant is dealt two hole cards face down.
There is a round of betting.
Three community cards are dealt face-up on the table. This is called the flop.
There is another round of betting.
A fourth community card is put on the table face up. We call this the turn.
There are more bets to make.
The fifth and last community card is put on the table face up. We call this the river.
There is one last round of betting.
The pot is won by the player with the best full house of five cards.
2. Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo is a variant of Texas Hold’em in which players try to make both the best high hand and the best low hand. The high hand is the best five-card poker hand using any two of your hole cards and any three of the community cards, while the low hand is the best five-card poker hand using any two of your hole cards and any two of the community cards, with the lowest hand being the best. The pot is split between the bettor with the best high hand and the player with the best low hand.
Example of Omaha Hi-Lo Hand Rankings:
| Low Hand Ranking | Description |
| A-2-3-4-5 | Wheel/Nut Low |
| 6-7-8-9-T | Six High |
| 8-8-9-T-J | Eight Low |
| 9-9-T-J-K | Nine Low |
| J-J-T-Q-K | Jack Low |
How to play Omaha Hi-Lo
In these types of poker, called Omaha, each player is given four “hole cards” that can’t be seen by the other players. After that, there is a round of betting while players think about their choices based on how strong their hands are. After this, three community cards are put face up on the table. This is called the “flop.” After this, there will be another round of bets. When a fourth community card, the “turn,” is added to the deck, the action gets even tenser. This leads to yet another round of betting. The fifth and last community card, known as the “river,” is now exposed. This is the most exciting part of the game. There is one last round of betting, which sets up the ultimate battle.
3. Seven-Card Stud
Seven-Card Stud is one of the oldest types pf poker variations. It is played with each player being dealt two-hole cards face down, and three community cards face up in the middle of the table. Players then bet on who has the best poker hand based on their hole cards and the community cards.
4. Razz
Razz is a types of poker variant of Seven-Card Stud in which the goal is to make the lowest five-card poker hand. This means that straights and flushes are not considered, and the lowest hand is the best.
Dealing the Cards: Each bettor is dealt two hole cards face down and three community cards face up.
Betting Round: There is a round of betting after the initial deal.
Fourth Street: People are given a fourth card that is face up. The betting then goes on for another round.
Fifth Street: A fifth community card is dealt face up. Another round of betting follows.
Sixth Street: A sixth community card is dealt face up. Another round of betting follows.
Seventh Street: A seventh and final community card is dealt face up.
Showdown: When everyone shows their hands, the pot goes to the bettor with the worst five-card poker hand.
5. 2-7 Triple Draw
In 2-7 Triple Draw, players aim to make the lowest five-card poker hand, where straights and flushes are not considered. The lowest hand is the best, and it is possible to make a straight or flush with low cards. Unlike other types of poker variations, players have the option to exchange up to three cards in their hand during three draw rounds.
| Betting Rounds | Drawing Rounds |
| 1st Betting Round | 1st Drawing Round |
| 2nd Betting Round | 2nd Betting Round |
| 3rd Betting Round | 3rd Betting Round |
| Final Betting Round | N/A |
6. Five-Card Draw
Five-Card Draw is another easy and clear types of poker. Each person starts with five “hole cards.” The objective is to form the strongest possible five-card poker hand using only those cards. There is no shared table, and each player gets one draw round where they can trade up to three cards for better ones.
How to play Five-Card Draw
Each participant is dealt five hole cards face down.
There is a round of betting.
Players can exchange up to three of their hole cards.
There is another round game of betting.
Bettors show their cards, and the pot goes to the participant with the best five-card poker hand.
Five-Card Draw Types of Poker Advantages
Simple rules and easy-to-learn.
Emphasizes hand evaluation and decision-making
Suitable for beginners and casual players
7. Chinese Poker
Chinese Poker, also known as 13-card Poker, is a unique types of poker variation that involves individual play rather than competing against other players. Each bettor is dealt 13 cards, and the goal is to arrange them into 13-card poker hands, forming the best possible combination of hands.
Sample Chinese Poker Scoring System
| Hand Type | Points |
| Straight flush | 35 |
| Four of a kind | 25 |
| Full house | 15 |
| Flush | 10 |
| Straight | 5 |
| Three of a kind | 3 |
| Two pair | 2 |
| One pair | 1 |
| No pair | 0 |
8. Badugi
Badugi is a unique types of poker variation that involves building the lowest possible hand using four cards, with each suit and rank being unique. Aces are considered the lowest cards, and the goal is to form a hand with the lowest possible combination of suits and ranks.
How to play Badugi
Four-hole cards are given to each player, face down.
People can bet on a round.
Each player can trade up to four of their hole cards.
There are more bets to make.
When everyone shows their hands, the pot goes to the man with the worst Badugi hand.
9. HORSE
HORSE refers to 5 types of poker variations: Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Eight-or-Better. HORSE tournaments rotate between these five variations, requiring players to adapt their strategies to each game.
How to play HORSE
Players compete in a series of hands, with each hand played in a different poker variation.
The poker variation changes after each hand or after a predetermined number of hands.
Bettors accumulate points in each hand based on their performance.
The player with the highest total points at the end of the tournament wins.
Example of a HORSE Rotation
| Round | Poker Variant |
| 1 | Texas Hold’em |
| 2 | Omaha Hi |
| 3 | Razz |
| 4 | 7-Card Stud |
| 5 | Eight or Better |
A comprehensive test of a player’s versatility, requiring adaptability across different poker games.
FAQs
Conclusion
People will continue to be interested in Poker, so look forward to new trends and twists in the game. Stay ahead of the curve in a world that is always changing, from new game forms to cutting-edge game mechanics. Take on the task learning the types of poker, enjoy the wins at OKebet, and let the cards fall where they may on your poker journey.
