Poker is a composition of card games and has been for a long time one of the most popular games in the world. Many people who play poker have never realized that it has several variations to it. Some well-known poker pros have gone the full length of their careers focusing on one poker play style, while others may have chosen to master many forms of the game. The variations are many, with some being more popular than others. This piece seeks to expound on the most popular poker styles you may choose to play.

Texas Hold’em

A common phrase states that “Poker is like sex, so if you don’t have a good partner, you better have a good hand,” meaning playing poker requires skills. Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker variant world-over and pulls colossal traffic to most poker sites. Beginners should start with this variant due to its popularity and ease of learning. The game is playable by ten people where each player gets 2-hole cards at the start. The board’s composition is five cards, where during the second round, the first three cards become disclosed in a betting round known as the flop. The third round sees the next card revealed, and the last card is set on the board’s river and preceded by the final round of betting. You will find this game anywhere poker is on offer due to its popularity. If you’re a beginner to this game, learn the game tips and strategies to win the game.

Seven-Card Stud

The game starts with a player holding a single up card and two down cards after placing an ante. The first game move is followed by four betting rounds, which are in line with an additional one down and three upcards. From the seven cards at a player’s disposal, every player must make a five-card poker hand by the end of the game.

Omaha

Second in world popularity to Texas Hold’em, this poker variation is unexpectedly identical to Texas Hold’em except for the fact that all partaking players get 4-hole cards as opposed to 2. The best statement that comes to mind in describing this poker variation is “A faint heart never filled a spade flush,” meaning only the brave gets to draw a three-card flush to get to a fourth card to complete the game. Take note that if you are new to this poker style, don’t rely too much on your knowledge and experience of Hold’em in playing.

Teen Patti

This poker variant has its origins from India before becoming a household game in South Asia and yonder and an instant internet sensation. The best saying to describe this poker style is “Take the risk or lose the chance” since it entails an option of either looking at your cards or not when playing in what is known as keeping your hind blind or seen. It is a 3-card variation game that means double betting on the choice to look at your card versus those playing blindly. You are at liberty to seek to know another player’s cards to gauge the chance of your hand beating them. With this variation, several intricate rules govern its playing.

Razz

This variant is the exact opposite of the Seven-Card formula as players have to make the best low hand through their cards. All aces are under consideration of being modest, and straights and flushes are not in use in determining the strength of a hand. Since aces count as low, the best or lowest hand possible would then be A-2-3-4-5. Razz is relatively easy to play poker variation as players have to look at their hands for the smallest, unpaired cards.

Cantrell draw

This poker variation is also known as Five Card Draw, and it is conceivably the easy game of poker that gets played online. Every player obtains a five-hole card followed by a betting round where each player is at liberty to relinquish any of the cards and fill back the hand to five by drawing. On completion of the final betting round, players contrast their hands to determine the pot’s winner.

Deuce to Seven Triple Draw

A habitual poker game saying goes that “You will show your poker greatness by the hands you fold, not the hands you play.” The saying implies that your flushes, pairs, and straights will count against your hand in play. The same is the case with a 2-7 triple draw where the ace has a high card consideration, and the flushes, pairs, and straights count against your hand.

Stud Hi-Low

This poker variant has alternative names such as stud/8, stud eight or better, Seven Card Stud Split, and Seven Stud high-low. This poker style is almost similar to a straight seven-card stud except for the difference that both highest and lowest hands get to split the pot. The low hand needs a series of five unpaired cards with no card higher in number than eight to qualify for the pot’s low part. The highest hand takes the whole pot in a scenario where there is no qualified low hand.

H.O.R.S.E

HORSE is a mixed poker game requiring a player to master the composition of Stud Hi, Hold’em, Razz, Omaha Hi/Lo, and Stud Hi/Lo. Every round of the game goes through swapping and is subject to a limiting betting structure.

Conclusion

There are several poker variations out there that you can play to get fulfilled or earn handsomely depending on your need. You must, however, remember that “If you want to play like the best, you need to learn to think like the best” meaning you must train a lot to get to the level of the best players and at times you have to face and beat the best to become the best. Further, “Life is like a game of poker. You can be dealt a bad hand and still win the game if you play your cards right.” It is ideal to be objective when playing any variation of poker at any given time. The involvement of your emotions in the game is likely to blind you and limit your chances of earning. Perhaps the most important message to bear in mind is to play responsibly always.