Poker is the most popular card game in the world, but many people don’t realize that there are many different ways to play it. Although Texas Hold ‘em is the most popular type of poker, you can find many different rule variations and styles of poker. Most games of poker share the way hands are ranked but have very different ways to play.
If you’re a complete beginner and looking to learn poker, you’re best off starting with the most popular version out there. There’s loads of information available on Texas Hold ‘em and most poker sites and poker rooms feature it as the main game. However, it can be very tough to get into due to the level of competition.
If you want to try out something different and have a smoother introduction to online poker, there are plenty of other games you can learn.
Omaha
Omaha holds ‘em shares many similarities with Texas hold ‘em, but there are enough differences to make it a very different game. If you want a slightly more accessible way to start playing poker, it can be an excellent way to start, although it has a fast pace and strong hands occur more often. Although it was created in Omaha, Nebraska, it’s played all over the country.
In this version of poker, there are five community cards, just like with Texas hold ‘em. The main difference is that every player gets four hole cards at the start of the game. However, you can only use two of these to build your four-card hand. It’s a good feature as it means that wrong starting hands are less common, and you usually have more outs to build on.
The betting rounds, flop, turn, and river play out in the same way as Texas hold ‘em, which makes it ideal for players to learn if they want to get into the game later on. There are some other variants, too, if you’d like a change of pace. For example, Omaha Hi-Lo splits the pot between the highest hand and the lowest hand, which means that even those with low hands will stay in the game until the end.
Seven Card Stud
Seven card stud was the version of poker that was most popular before Texas hold ‘em took off. It has a lot of differences from the most popular poker variant, but it’s a lot of fun to play. Unlike the previous two versions of poker, it doesn’t feature any community cards. Instead, every player is dealt a total of seven cards, with some facing up and some hidden.
When playing seven-card stud, you’ll start off being dealt two cards face down and one face up. The first betting round begins before the following cards are dealt. Just like in other versions of poker, you’ll be aiming to make the strongest possible hand with five cards. This is often played with limits, and you’ll need to pay attention to the cards of your opponents to work out their hand ranges.
Five Card Draw Poker
Draw poker is a classic game version that is still very popular today. Five card draw is the most common type, and it’s the version that is featured in poker machines. While these machines use computer software, you can also play five card draw against real people.
At the start of the game, every player receives five hold cards before the betting round begins. After this betting round, players choose whether they would like to keep or discard any cards. Discarded cards are replaced by new ones from the deck, ensuring every player has precisely five. Further betting rounds then ensue before players reveal their hands.
