Poker is one of the most popular and enduring card games in the world, enjoyed by millions in casinos, home games, and online platforms. While many people are familiar with the general concept of poker, the game comes in a variety of forms, each with its own unique rules, strategies, and player dynamics. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, understanding the different types of poker can enhance your appreciation for the game and help you find the variant that suits your style best.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the most popular types of poker, exploring their rules, structures, and what makes them unique. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of the diverse world of poker and be ready to try your hand at any table.
1. Texas Hold’em
Overview
Texas Hold’em is the most widely played poker variant in the world. It’s the game you’ll see on TV, in major tournaments like the World Series of Poker (WSOP), and in casinos everywhere. Its popularity stems from its simplicity, strategic depth, and the fact that it’s a community card game, meaning players share cards dealt face-up on the “board.”
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-10 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make the best five-card hand possible using any combination of your two hole cards (dealt face-down) and the five community cards on the board.
Structure
- Blinds: The game starts with two players posting “blinds” (forced bets) to create a pot.
- The player to the left of the dealer posts the “small blind.”
- The next player posts the “big blind.”
- Hole Cards: Each player receives two cards face-down.
- Betting Round 1: The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
- Flop: The dealer reveals three community cards face-up on the board.
- Betting Round 2: The second round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer.
- Turn: A fourth community card is revealed.
- Betting Round 3: The third round of betting begins.
- River: The fifth and final community card is revealed.
- Betting Round 4: The final round of betting takes place.
- Showdown: If more than one player remains, players reveal their hands, and the best five-card hand wins the pot.
Key Strategy
- Position is crucial; players act in a specific order, and later positions have more information than earlier ones.
- Starting hand selection is important, but many hands can improve as the board develops.
- Bluffing is a key strategic element, as players can win pots without the best hand by convincing others to fold.
2. Omaha
Overview
Omaha is the second-most popular poker variant and is often considered a stepping stone for players looking to transition from Texas Hold’em to more complex games. It’s similar to Texas Hold’em but with a few key differences.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-10 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make the best five-card hand using exactly two of your four hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards.
Structure
- Blinds: Like Texas Hold’em, the game starts with small and big blinds.
- Hole Cards: Each player receives four cards face-down.
- Betting Round 1: The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
- Flop: Three community cards are revealed.
- Betting Round 2: The second round of betting begins.
- Turn: A fourth community card is revealed.
- Betting Round 3: The third round of betting begins.
- River: The fifth and final community card is revealed.
- Betting Round 4: The final round of betting takes place.
- Showdown: The best five-card hand, using exactly two hole cards and three community cards, wins the pot.
Key Differences from Texas Hold’em
- Players receive four hole cards instead of two.
- You must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to make your hand.
- The strategy is more complex due to the increased number of combinations.
3. Seven-Card Stud
Overview
Seven-Card Stud is one of the oldest and most traditional forms of poker. Unlike Texas Hold’em and Omaha, it is not a community card game. Instead, players receive a combination of face-down and face-up cards, and the best five-card hand wins.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-8 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make the best five-card hand from the seven cards you receive.
Structure
- Ante: Each player posts an ante (a small forced bet) to start the hand.
- Dealing: Each player receives two cards face-down (hole cards) and one card face-up (the “door card”).
- Betting Round 1: The player with the lowest face-up card starts the betting. If two players have the same lowest card, the one closest to the dealer goes first. This player must “bring in” the betting by posting a small bet.
- Fourth Street: The dealer gives each player another face-up card (the “fourth street”).
- Betting Round 2: The player with the best face-up cards starts the betting. In most variations, this player can choose to check (pass the action to the next player without betting).
- Fifth Street: The dealer gives each player another face-up card (the “fifth street”).
- Betting Round 3: The player with the best face-up cards starts the betting.
- Sixth Street: The dealer gives each player another face-up card (the “sixth street”).
- Betting Round 4: The player with the best face-up cards starts the betting.
- Seventh Street (River): The dealer gives each player a final card face-down (the “seventh street”).
- Betting Round 5: The final round of betting begins with the first player to the left of the dealer who is still in the hand.
- Showdown: The remaining players reveal their hands, and the best five-card hand wins the pot.
Key Strategy
- Pay attention to the cards your opponents have, as this can give you clues about their possible hands.
- Starting hand selection is crucial, as you have less flexibility than in community card games.
- Bluffing is less common in Seven-Card Stud due to the visibility of many cards.
4. Five-Card Draw
Overview
Five-Card Draw is one of the simplest and most straightforward poker variants. It’s the version often depicted in movies and cartoons, and it’s a great introduction to poker for beginners.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-7 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make the best five-card hand after a single draw (discarding and replacing cards).
Structure
- Ante: Each player posts an ante to start the hand.
- Dealing: Each player receives five cards face-down.
- Betting Round 1: The player to the left of the dealer starts the betting.
- Draw: Each player can discard and replace any number of their cards (including none or all) to improve their hand.
- Betting Round 2: The second and final round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
- Showdown: The remaining players reveal their hands, and the best five-card hand wins the pot.
Key Strategy
- Pay attention to the cards your opponents discard, as this can give you information about their hands.
- Bluffing is more effective in Five-Card Draw because your opponents can’t see any of your cards.
5. Razz
Overview
Razz is a unique variant of poker that turns the traditional game on its head. Instead of competing for the best hand, players compete for the worst hand. It’s a fun and challenging twist that requires a different mindset and strategy.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-8 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make the worst five-card hand possible (based on traditional poker hand rankings).
Structure
- Ante: Each player posts an ante.
- Dealing: Each player receives two cards face-down and one card face-up.
- Betting Round 1: The player with the highest face-up card starts the betting. If two players have the same highest card, the one closest to the dealer goes first.
- Fourth Street: The dealer gives each player another face-up card.
- Betting Round 2: The player with the highest face-up cards starts the betting.
- Fifth Street: The dealer gives each player another face-up card.
- Betting Round 3: The player with the highest face-up cards starts the betting.
- Sixth Street: The dealer gives each player another face-up card.
- Betting Round 4: The player with the highest face-up cards starts the betting.
- Seventh Street (River): The dealer gives each player a final card face-down.
- Betting Round 5: The final round of betting begins with the first player to the left of the dealer who is still in the hand.
- Showdown: The remaining players reveal their hands, and the worst five-card hand wins the pot.
Key Strategy
- Aces are considered low in Razz, so the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 (a “wheel”).
- Pay attention to the cards your opponents have, as this can help you determine if you have the worst hand.
- Bluffing is less effective in Razz because players are often focused on their own hands.
6. HORSE
Overview
HORSE is not a single poker variant but rather a rotation of five different games: Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo. It’s a popular format in mixed-game tournaments and is designed for players who enjoy variety and challenge.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Varies depending on the specific game being played.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Perform well across all five games to accumulate chips.
Structure
- Rotation: The games rotate in a specific order: Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo.
- Betting Limits: HORSE is typically played with fixed betting limits, which increase as the game progresses.
- Chips: Players start with a set number of chips, and the goal is to accumulate as many chips as possible by performing well in each game.
Key Strategy
- Familiarize yourself with all five games, as the rules and strategies vary significantly.
- Pay attention to the betting limits and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Manage your bankroll carefully, as the rotation of games can lead to significant swings.
7. Badugi
Overview
Badugi is a unique variant of poker that originated in Korea. It’s a lowball game, meaning the best hand is the lowest hand, and it’s played with a special set of rules regarding card rankings and hand composition.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-8 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make the best four-card hand, with all four cards of different ranks and different suits.
Structure
- Blinds: The game starts with two players posting blinds.
- Dealing: Each player receives four cards face-down.
- Betting Round 1: The player to the left of the big blind starts the betting.
- Draw: Each player can discard and replace any number of their cards to improve their hand.
- Betting Round 2: The second and final round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
- Showdown: The remaining players reveal their hands, and the best Badugi hand wins the pot.
Key Strategy
- Aces are considered low in Badugi, so the best possible hand is A-2-3-4, all of different suits.
- Pay attention to the cards your opponents discard, as this can give you clues about their hands.
- Bluffing is less effective in Badugi because players are often focused on their own hands.
8. Chinese Poker
Overview
Chinese Poker is a unique and entertaining variant that combines elements of poker and rummy. It’s typically played with four players, and the game involves creating specific hand combinations to score points.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-4 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Create three separate hands (a three-card hand, a five-card hand, and a five-card hand) that are better than your opponents’ corresponding hands.
Structure
- Dealing: Each player receives 13 cards, which they must divide into three hands:
- Front Hand: A three-card hand, which is the weakest hand.
- Middle Hand: A five-card hand, which is the next strongest hand.
- Back Hand: A five-card hand, which is the strongest hand.
- Scoring: Players score points based on the ranking of their hands compared to their opponents’ hands. Each hand is compared separately, and points are awarded for each hand that is better than an opponent’s corresponding hand.
- Royalties: Some variations of Chinese Poker include “royalties,” which are bonus points awarded for particularly strong hands.
Key Strategy
- Focus on creating balanced hands, as you need to win at least two out of the three hand comparisons to score points.
- Pay attention to the cards your opponents are discarding, as this can give you clues about their hands.
- Manage your bankroll carefully, as the scoring system can lead to significant swings.
9. Pai Gow Poker
Overview
Pai Gow Poker is a unique variant that combines elements of the Chinese game Pai Gow with traditional poker. It’s played with a standard deck and a joker, which can be used as an ace or to complete a straight or flush.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 2-7 players, including the dealer.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck plus one joker.
- Objective: Create two separate hands (a five-card hand and a two-card hand) that are better than the dealer’s corresponding hands.
Structure
- Dealing: Each player receives seven cards, which they must divide into two hands:
- Five-Card Hand: The stronger of the two hands.
- Two-Card Hand: The weaker of the two hands.
- Betting: Players place a bet before receiving their cards.
- Comparison: The player’s five-card hand is compared to the dealer’s five-card hand, and the player’s two-card hand is compared to the dealer’s two-card hand. If both of the player’s hands are better than the dealer’s hands, the player wins even money on their bet. If one hand wins and the other loses, it’s a push, and the player’s bet is returned. If both hands lose, the player loses their bet.
- Tie: If the player’s five-card hand is exactly the same as the dealer’s five-card hand, it’s a tie, and the player’s bet is returned.
Key Strategy
- Focus on creating a strong five-card hand, as it has the most weight in the comparison.
- Pay attention to the dealer’s hands, as this can give you clues about how to split your cards.
- Manage your bankroll carefully, as the betting structure can lead to significant swings.
10. Three Card Poker
Overview
Three Card Poker is a fast-paced and exciting variant that’s perfect for players who enjoy quick action and simplicity. It’s typically played against the dealer, and the goal is to make the best three-card hand possible.
How It’s Played
- Number of Players: Typically 1-7 players, including the dealer.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Objective: Make a three-card hand that is better than the dealer’s three-card hand.
Structure
- Ante: Each player places an ante bet.
- Dealing: Each player receives three cards face-down.
- Betting: Based on their hand, players can choose to:
- Fold: Forfeit their ante bet.
- Play: Place a bet equal to their ante bet.
- Dealer’s Hand: The dealer reveals their hand and must have at least a queen-high to qualify. If the dealer does not qualify, the player’s ante bet is returned, and the play bet is a push. If the dealer qualifies and the player’s hand is better, the player wins even money on both bets. If the dealer’s hand is better, the player loses both bets.
- Bonuses: Some variations of Three Card Poker include bonus payouts for particularly strong hands, such as a straight flush or three of a kind.
Key Strategy
- Focus on making the best possible three-card hand, as the dealer must have at least a queen-high to qualify.
- Pay attention to the dealer’s hand, as this can give you clues about whether to fold or play.
- Manage your bankroll carefully, as the betting structure can lead to significant swings.
Final Thoughts
Poker is a game of endless variety and complexity, offering something for every type of player. Whether you’re a fan of community card games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, a traditionalist who enjoys Seven-Card Stud, or someone who prefers the unique challenges of Razz or Badugi, there’s a poker variant out there for you. By understanding the rules and strategies of each type of poker, you can expand your skill set, explore new formats, and enjoy the game even more.
So, the next time you sit down at a poker table—whether it’s in a casino, a home game, or online—consider trying a new variant. You never know; you might just discover a new favorite way to play.
