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Poker is popular the world over, but did you know it comes in various guises? That’s 🍌 right, even though you’ve probably seen people playing Texas Hold’em on TV, there are many more options.
This guide outlines the 🍌 most popular kinds of poker and how you can get the most out of them when you play online or 🍌 in a local casino.
Main types of poker
Texas Hold’em is loved the world over, but it’s not the only game in 🍌 town. Based on activity, entertainment and action, here are 11 of the most popular poker variants:
Texas Hold’em Omaha Stud Draw 🍌 Razz Mixed Games 6+ Hold’em Badugi Irish Poker Courchevel Chinese
A closer look at different poker variants
What are the main types 🍌 of poker you can play online and live? Well, if you want to sample the best of what poker has 🍌 to offer, here are 11 variants to feast on…
1. Texas Hold’em
Pros
More widely available than other kinds of poker
The ideal type 🍌 of poker to learn as a beginner
Texas Hold’em poker tournaments have the biggest prizes
Cons
The average skill level of Hold’em players 🍌 is high
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker variant. It’s used for every major tournament, including the World Series of 🍌 Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Like all types of poker, the aim is to win pots by making everyone else fold 🍌 or by having the best five-card hand.
In Texas Hold’em, everyone starts with two hole cards face-down. There are five community 🍌 cards, and you can use both of your hole cards, one or neither to make a hand. The most popular 🍌 variant is No Limit Hold’em, which means you can bet any amount above the minimum and up to your entire 🍌 stack.
2. Omaha
Pros
The second most popular kind of poker
More exciting than other types of poker
Cons
More hand combinations make it volatile
One of 🍌 the hardest forms of poker to master
Omaha is a type of poker that takes certain elements of Hold’em and pushes 🍌 them to the extreme. Players start with four hole cards dealt face-down. As with other kinds of poker, the aim 🍌 is to make the best five-card hand or get everyone to fold.
Unlike Hold’em where you can play the board, you 🍌 must use two of your four hole cards. This means you take two of your cards and combine them with 🍌 three community cards to make a hand. There are certain versions of Omaha with Limit and No Limit betting structures 🍌 (such as five-card Omaha and eight-Omaha).
However, the dominant variant is Pot Limit Omaha. The fact everyone has four hole cards 🍌 means your opponents can have many more possible hands than they could in Hold’em. This makes it a much more 🍌 volatile type of poker than Hold’em, which is something certain players find exciting.
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3. Stud
Pros
Easy 🍌 poker variant to learn
Stud is becoming increasingly popular
Usually played as Limit or Pot Limit, so it’s less risky than some 🍌 variants
Cons
Not as much action as other forms of poker
No community cards so bluffing is harder
Stud is a classic form of 🍌 poker that’s split into various forms. The main difference between Stud and other types of poker, such as Hold’em and 🍌 Omaha, is that there aren’t any community cards. Instead, everyone gets dealt a specific number of hole cards from which 🍌 they need to make a ranked poker hand. This is possible because some cards are dealt face-up and others are 🍌 dealt face-down.
The most common type of Stud poker involves seven cards (i.e. Seven Card Stud), so let’s use this as 🍌 an example. In this poker variant, players put in an ante and receive three cards: two face-down and one face-up. 🍌 Those who stay in the hand receive their fourth, fifth and sixth cards face-up. Finally, the seventh card is dealt 🍌 face-down. From this, players have to assess their own cards, as well as those on display, to determine the relative 🍌 value of their hand.
Something else to note in Stud games is that they can be High or High-Low. The difference 🍌 between High and High-Low games is the way you win pots. In Stud High games, a showdown is won by 🍌 the strongest hand. In Stud High-Low games, the pot is split between the best high-value hand and the best low-value 🍌 hand. One player can win both hands, but it’s also possible for two players to split the pot.
4. Razz
Pros
You can 🍌 have a big edge if you’re skilled because few players know this game
Reversing the hand rankings keeps things interesting
Cons
Not many 🍌 cash games or MTTs available at the top online poker sites
Razz is a lowball version of Seven Card Stud. Lowball 🍌 games reverse the hand rankings in poker. The general format of Razz is the same as Seven Card Stud. However, 🍌 in this game, aces are low, and the best possible hand is A, 2, 3, 4, 5. Straights and flushes 🍌 don’t count against your hand, but you’re always aiming to make the best low-value hand.
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5. Draw
Pros
Classic poker variant
Usually a Limit game, so it’s 🍌 fairly low risk
Some knowledge of poker strategy can give you a big edge
Cons
Bluffing is hard because there are no exposed 🍌 cards
Draw is one of the oldest types of poker you can play. It was popular with cowboys and its name 🍌 almost certainly has allusions to the idea of drawing a gun from its holster. Links to the Wild West aside, 🍌 draw poker is like Stud in that there aren’t any community cards.
The dominant variant is Five Card Draw, but you 🍌 can find exotic versions in live casinos and online poker sites. In Five Card Draw, everyone puts in an ante 🍌 to receive five cards dealt face-down. Everyone has the chance to assess their cards and decide whether they want to 🍌 make another bet and continue.
Those who continue have the opportunity to swap as many or as few cards as they 🍌 like. A player wins the pot by virtue of being the only one left in the hand or by having 🍌 the best-ranked five-card hand. Other types of draw poker include 2-7 Triple Draw.
In this game, you start with five cards 🍌 and can draw three times in an effort to make the weakest hand. 2-7 Triple Draw is a lowball game 🍌 because you want to avoid high-ranking hands such as straights and flushes. Aces are also high in this variant, which 🍌 means the best possible hand is 2, 3, 4, 5, 7. As well as 2-7 Triple, you can play 2-7 🍌 Single Draw.
6. Mixed Games
Pros
A true test of poker skill
Interesting because the variant is always changing
Biggest cash games in the world 🍌 use this format
Cons
Hard to find games
Often played by highly skilled players
Mixed Games puts different types of poker together. The most 🍌 popular forms of Mixed Game poker are H.O.R.S.E. and 8-Game Mix. For clarity, the variants involved in these two Mixed 🍌 Games are:
H.O.R.S.E. = Hold’em, Omaha High-Low, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Eight-or-Better
8-Game Mix = Limit 2-7 Triple Draw, 🍌 Limit Hold’em, Limit Omaha Eight-or-Better High-Low, Razz, Limit Seven Card Stud, Limit Seven Card Stud Eight-or-Better, No Limit Hold’em, Pot 🍌 Limit Omaha.
The fundamental format of all mixed games is the game in the sense that the variant changes after a 🍌 set number of rounds. For example, a H.O.R.S.E. game could start with five rounds of Hold’em. After five rounds it 🍌 switches to Omaha High-Low. It then switches to Razz and so on. This ever-changing dynamic not only makes Mixed Games 🍌 exciting but a true test of skill.
7. 6+ Hold’em
Pros
Exciting new version of Texas Hold’em
Everyone posts a pre-flop ante so there’s 🍌 lots of action
Removing cards creates more drama
Cons
Volatile variant
Hard to find games online
6+ Hold’em, also known as Short Deck Poker, is 🍌 a new variant that was popularised by high stakes players in Asia. The underlying structure of 6+ Hold’em is the 🍌 same as its namesake, Texas Hold’em. However, it’s different because all cards lower than a 6 have been removed from 🍌 the deck. This means it’s technically known as a strip-deck poker variant.
The hand rankings have been adjusted to account for 🍌 the removal of these cards. Therefore, in 6+ Hold’em, flushes beat full houses because they’re harder to make. Additionally, aces 🍌 can be wild in certain situations, which means A, 6, 7, 8, 9 is classed as a straight.
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8. Badugi
Pros
A nice break from standard poker variants
Most people don’t know how 🍌 to play so it can be easier to win
Cons
Not many games online
Often played by skilled pros
Badugi is similar to Razz 🍌 in that you’re aiming to make the lowest value hand. It was first popularised in Asia, but this Draw poker 🍌 variant is now played around the world. Everyone starts with four cards (dealt face-down) and those who stay in the 🍌 hand can draw new ones. The best hands in Badugi contain no pairs, low-value cards, and as many different suits 🍌 as possible.
9. Irish Poker
Pros
Combines the two most popular types of poker
Lots of action
Cons
Mainly a side game so not many Irish 🍌 Poker tournaments
Irish combines two types of poker: Hold’em and Omaha. The game starts out like Omaha with players receiving four 🍌 hole cards. Betting ensues before a three-card flop is dealt. It’s at this point players still in the hand must 🍌 discard two of their hole cards. From this point on the game follows the structure of Texas Hold’em. Irish Poker 🍌 is often played as a side game because its format is designed to encourage action which, in turn, promotes a 🍌 jovial atmosphere.
10. Courchevel
Pros
An exciting take on Omaha
More hand combos because you have five cards
Can be played using any betting structure
Cons
Highly 🍌 volatile variant
Games don’t usually run online
Courchevel is a version of Omaha. However, instead of four hole-cards, everyone has five. Everyone 🍌 gets to keep all five cards, but they can only use two when making a hand. In fact, a player 🍌 must use exactly two hole-cards in combination with three of the five community cards.
The game can be played as Limit, 🍌 Pot Limit or No Limit. The observant among you will remember that we’ve already mentioned a variant called Five-Card Omaha. 🍌 Courchevel is virtually identical to this type of Omaha. The only difference is that the first community card is dealt 🍌 face-up before the pre-flop betting round begins.
11. Chinese Poker
Pros
Unusual variant that tests your critical thinking skills
Points-based system means you can’t 🍌 lose everything in one hand
Cons
Not available as an online poker game
You won’t find Chinese Poker offered as a cash game 🍌 or tournament at your favourite gaming sites. However, if you’ve ever been to a live tournament and observed pros playing 🍌 cards on a break, they’re probably playing Chinese Poker.
The game is played with a standard 52-card deck. Heads-up is a 🍌 common format, but up to four people can play at once. Each player receives 13 cards, and the aim is 🍌 to set those cards into three poker hands (two five-card hands, one three-card hand).
The three-card hand is laid first and 🍌 must be the weakest of the three hands. The second hand must be the second strongest, and the final hand 🍌 the strongest. Players get points for each hand they win. The winner is the player with the most points after 🍌 a predetermined number of rounds.
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How many types 🍌 of poker are there?
Poker falls into three overarching categories: Stud, Draw and community card poker. Within each category are multiple 🍌 variants and, in turn, sub-variants. For example, Hold’em is a community card game.
As well as Limit, Pot Limit and No 🍌 Limit Texas Hold’em, there are spin-off versions such as 6+ Hold’em and Irish Poker. Therefore, when you take into account 🍌 all the possible permutations of each category, there are dozens of poker variants.
What is the most popular type of poker?
Texas 🍌 Hold’em is by far the most popular type of poker you’ll find online or in card rooms around the world. 🍌 Of all the types of Hold’em, No Limit is the one used most often for cash games and tournaments. For 🍌 example, the WSOP Main Event, WPT World Championship and PokerStars Players Championship are all No Limit Hold’em tournaments.
What are the 🍌 main types of poker played at tournaments?
Texas Hold’em is the main variant used for poker tournaments, including online MTTs, Sit 🍌 & Gos and satellites. However, as poker has become more popular, other variants have been added to the annual tournament 🍌 calendar. For example, in 2024, PokerGO hosted its first Omaha-only series. Therefore, if you play any major live or online 🍌 poker festival, you’ll find tournaments covering all the main kinds of poker.
How are different types of poker classified?
Different versions of 🍌 poker are classified by the way cards are dealt and the betting structure. The main types of poker classifications are:
Stud
Draw
Community 🍌 Card
Limit
Pot Limit
No Limit
What are the different types of poker according to betting limits?
They way you bet will be determined by 🍌 the kind of poker you’re playing and one of three systems:
Limit = Bets and raises are limited to the size 🍌 of the blinds e.g. in a £1/£2 game, bets and raises are made in £2 increments. There will also be 🍌 a cap on the number of raises you can make per round.
Pot Limit = Bets and raises are limited to 🍌 the size of the pot. For example, if there’s £20 in the pot, a player can only bet £20 or 🍌 less.
No Limit = Bets and raises aren’t limited in this type of poker. As long as the bet matches or 🍌 exceeds the minimum, any amount is valid. The same goes for raises. As long as the raise exceeds the previous 🍌 biggest bet, a player can commit any amount up to the value of their stack (i.e. going all-in).
What types of 🍌 poker can you play according to the number of players or table size?
Virtually all forms of poker can be played 🍌 on these table sizes:
Full-ring (nine seats at the table)
Short-handed (six seats at the table)
Four-max (four seats at the table)
Three-max (three 🍌 seats at the table)
Heads-up (two seats at the table)
What are mixed poker games?
Mixed Games combine two or more types of 🍌 poker. For example, H.O.R.S.E. combines Hold’em, Omaha High-Low, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Eight-or-Better. The variant changes after 🍌 a predetermined number of rounds. For example, a game might start with three hands of Hold’em before it changes to 🍌 Omaha High-Low.
What are the best places online to play poker?
The best poker sites can be often defined by the number 🍌 of variants they offer. Based on this logic, three of the top online poker rooms in the UK are:
For cash 🍌 games and thousands of weekly poker tournaments, PokerStars is almost unbeatable. New customers can click here and use the PokerStars 🍌 promo code FIRST200 to get a welcome bonus worth up to £200. Once you’re in the mix, you’ll have endless 🍌 options. From Hold’em freerolls to high stakes Mixed Games, PokerStars has everything you need and more.
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Grosvenor has a dedicated poker site to go along with its online casino and sportsbook. Newbies who 🍌 join Grosvenor Poker can get free credits.
In addition to poker bonuses and freerolls, Grosvenor customers can play hundreds of Hold’em 🍌 and Omaha games. What’s also neat about Grosvenor is the fact it has live card rooms across the UK and 🍌 hosts a tournament series known as the GUKPT.
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MrQ is the place to play if you want poker variants outside of the ones we’ve described in this guide. 🍌 As a popular UK online casino, MrQ gives you access to dozens of table games, including poker variants such as 🍌 Ultimate Texas Hold’em. These table games pit you against the dealer instead of other players. New customers can click here 🍌 and sign up for the offer.
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What’s the house edge for different poker variants?
There isn’t a standard house edge in poker. Because you’re playing against other 🍌 people and not the house (i.e. a casino), no one has an inherent advantage or disadvantage. This means your results 🍌 will be determined by a combination of luck and skill.
Luck plays a part in all poker games because the cards 🍌 are dealt randomly. However, if you’re skilled, you can put yourself in more positive situations than negative ones. Do this 🍌 enough and, once luck evens out, you should make a profit.
What’s the best poker variant for beginners?
The best poker variant 🍌 for beginners to learn is Texas Hold’em. Other types of poker, such as Draw, are easy to learn. However, Hold’em 🍌 is the most widely available variant, which means it’s easier to access. Indeed, with all the best online poker sites 🍌 offering freerolls, you can practise without spending a penny. What’s more, because Hold’em is so popular, you can find a 🍌 ton of poker strategy tips online.
What’s the most difficult type of poker?
Mixed Games are probably the most difficult type of 🍌 poker because the variant is always changing. That means you have to think on your feet. Moreover, you can’t be 🍌 a specialist in one or two variants. If Mixed Games aren’t the most difficult variants to play, Omaha is because 🍌 the number of possible hand combinations makes it extremely volatile.
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Can 🍌 I play real-money poker on my mobile device?
Yes! All of our recommended online poker sites offer free-play and real-money games. 🍌 This means you can ante-up in cash games or tournaments via your mobile and win cash prizes. As well as 🍌 mobile websites, the top poker rooms have iOS and Android apps.
Our top 5 universal tips and strategies for playing different 🍌 poker variants
That’s just about all you need to know about poker and its different variants. Before you rush off to 🍌 experience everything the game has to offer, here are five poker tips to help you get the most from your 🍌 time at the tables:
1. Do your research
Read about the different kinds of poker before you play. This guide is a 🍌 great place to start, but visit forums, read books written by pros and consume as much video content as possible. 🍌 Doing this will give you a solid foundation to build on.
2. Start with the basics
Hold’em is the best place to 🍌 start your poker journey because there is a wealth of information out there. Once you’re comfortable with fundamental concepts in 🍌 poker, such as bluffing, value betting, pot odds and ranges, branch out and try other variants.
3. Don’t play too high
Never 🍌 risk more than you can afford to lose. Regardless of the variant you play, only ever buy into games that 🍌 represent a small portion of your bankroll. As a general rule, you should have 100 to 200 big blinds for 🍌 the cash games you play. You should have at least 150 buy-ins for tournaments.
4. Look beyond Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is great, 🍌 and you should play it, but don’t ignore the other types of poker because they can be just as fun. 🍌 Moreover, the average skill level of Hold’em players has increased over the years and some games are hard to beat. 🍌 Therefore, trying other forms of poker gives you a chance to find more fish.
5. Be aggressive
Aggression in poker should always 🍌 be targeted. However, if you’re playing within your limits and spot weak players at the table, you should bet hard 🍌 and fast whenever a profitable spot presents itself.
About the author Daniel Smyth Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, 🍌 and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and 🍌 editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years. Follow Daniel 🍌 on Twitter @DanSmythThePoet
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money 🍌 they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
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Find 🍌 our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 🍌 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
