How Many Variants of Poker Are There?

Poker is a very popular card game that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is a game of skill, strategy, and luck that has been around for centuries.

Over time, many different variants of poker have emerged, each with its own unique rules and gameplay. In this article, we will explore the various types of poker games that exist today.

1. Texas Hold’em: This variant is by far the most popular form of poker played around the world.

In this game, each player is dealt two cards face down, and then five community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. Players use their two cards plus the five community cards to make their best possible hand.

2. Omaha Hold’em: This variant is similar to Texas Hold’em but with a few key differences. Each player is dealt four cards face down instead of two, and players must use exactly two of their four hole cards along with three community cards to make their best possible hand.

3. Seven Card Stud: This variant was once the most popular form of poker played in casinos before Texas Hold’em took over. In Seven Card Stud, each player is dealt seven cards throughout the hand, but only five are used to make your final hand.

4. Razz: This variant is a lowball version of Seven Card Stud where instead of trying to make the highest possible hand, players try to get the lowest possible hand instead.

5. Five Card Draw: This variant was once one of the most popular forms of poker played in home games but has since fallen out of favor in casinos due to its lack of action compared to other variants. In Five Card Draw, each player is dealt five cards face-down, and then there’s a round of betting before players can choose which cards they want to discard and replace with new ones.

6. Chinese Poker: This variant has become more popular in recent years thanks to its inclusion in high stakes cash games and tournaments. In Chinese Poker, each player is dealt 13 cards, and then has to make three separate hands of two, five, and six cards.

7. Pineapple: This variant is similar to Texas Hold’em but with a twist. Each player is dealt three hole cards instead of two, but must discard one of them after the flop.

8. Omaha Hi-Lo: This variant is similar to Omaha Hold’em, but instead of the highest hand winning the pot, the pot is split between the highest and lowest hands.

9. Badugi: This variant originated in Asia and has become more popular in recent years due to online poker sites offering it as an option. In Badugi, each player is dealt four cards face-down and has to make their best possible hand with one card from each suit.

In conclusion, there are many different variants of poker that exist today. Each variant offers its own unique set of rules and gameplay that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. Whether you prefer Texas Hold’em or Seven Card Stud, there’s a poker game out there for everyone!

PRO TIP:There are several variants of poker, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud, Razz, and 5-Card Draw. Each variant has its own set of rules and strategies, so make sure to research each one before playing.