What Kind of Poker Is Played Professionally?

Poker is a game that has been played for centuries and has evolved into different variants over time. Among these variants, some are popularly played professionally and attract a lot of attention from players and enthusiasts alike. If you are interested in knowing what kind of poker is played professionally, you’ve come to the right place.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that professional poker players don’t stick to just one variant of the game. They usually have expertise in multiple forms of poker and can adjust their strategies according to the variant they are playing. However, some poker variants are more commonly played at professional levels than others.

1) Texas Hold’em:
Texas Hold’em is undoubtedly the most popular variant of poker worldwide and is also the most widely played at professional levels. The game involves two cards dealt face down to each player and five community cards placed on the table for all players to use. Players must make their best five-card hand using any combination of their two hole cards and the community cards.

2) Omaha:
Omaha is another popular variant of poker played professionally. The game shares similarities with Texas Hold’em but differs in that players receive four hole cards instead of two, and must make their best five-card hand using exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards.

3) Seven-Card Stud:
Seven-Card Stud was once the most popular form of poker but has since taken a backseat to Texas Hold’em. However, it remains a favourite among some professional players as it requires more skill than luck compared to other forms of poker. In this game, each player receives seven cards – three face-down and four face-up – with betting rounds between each deal.

4) Razz:
Razz is a lowball variant of Seven-Card Stud where the objective is to make the lowest possible five-card hand from seven dealt cards. Straights and flushes don’t count against your hand in this game, and the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5.

5) Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw:
Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw is a lowball variant of poker where each player receives five cards, and the objective is to make the lowest possible hand. Unlike Razz, straights and flushes count against your hand, and the best possible hand is 2-3-4-5-7.

In conclusion, professional poker players need to have expertise in multiple variants of the game to be successful. However, Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Razz, and Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw are some of the most popularly played at professional levels. If you want to play poker professionally or just for fun, it is essential to understand the rules and strategies of each variant before diving into the game.

PRO TIP:When playing poker professionally, it is important to understand the different types of poker available. The most popular types of poker are Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha, and Five Card Draw. Each game has its own specific rules and strategies, so it is important to get familiar with each before playing for real money. Additionally, some tournaments may feature variations of these games such as Pot Limit Omaha or Short Deck Hold’em.