Poker Types

Poker is a game that requires skill and strategy and it has been around for centuries as a source of entertainment. It is played by millions of people worldwide and has many variations. Since new players of poker are often found wondering how many types of poker are there, we will discuss the three main types of poker and some of the most popular variations here.

Types of Poker

Different types of poker games have their unique sets of rules, strategies, and nuances, making poker a challenging and exciting game to play. Let us take a look at the various types of poker games that exist.

• Draw Poker
  Draw poker is one of the oldest forms of poker that is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Each player is dealt five cards, and they have the option to discard any or all of their cards and receive new ones from the dealer. The end goal is to create the best possible 5-card hand.
• Stud Poker
  Stud poker is another popular type of poker that is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Unlike draw poker, players are dealt a mix of face-up and face-down cards. The most common form of stud poker is 7-card stud, where each player is dealt seven cards with the first two and the seventh card dealt face down. The end goal is to create the best possible 5-card hand.
• Community Poker
  Community poker is a type of poker where players are dealt a combination of face-down and face-up cards, and they share a set of community cards that are placed in the center of the table. The most popular form of community poker is Texas hold 'em, where each player is dealt two cards face down and then five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. The aim is to make the best possible 5-card hand using any combination of the two hole cards and the five community cards.

Poker Variations

Here are some common poker variations that are played online:

• Texas Hold 'em
  Texas hold 'em is one of the most popular variations of poker. It is a community poker game where each player is dealt two cards face down and then five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. The goal is to make the best possible 5-card hand using any combination of the two hole cards and the five community cards.
• Omaha High
  Omaha high is a community poker game that is similar to Texas hold 'em. However, instead of two hole cards, each player is dealt four hole cards. You have to make the best possible 5-card hand using any two of the four hole cards and any three of the five community cards.
• Omaha Hi/Lo
  Omaha Hi/Lo is a variation of Omaha high where the pot is split between the player with the highest-ranking hand and the player with the lowest-ranking hand. Players must use two of their hole cards and three of the five community cards to create both the highest and lowest hands possible.
• Seven Card Stud
  Seven card stud is a stud poker game that is played with seven cards. Players get two cards face down and one card face up. There are then three more rounds of betting, with each player receiving another face-up card after each round. The final card is dealt face down, and the goal is to create the best possible 5-card hand.
• Razz
  Razz is a stud poker game where the goal is to create the lowest-ranking hand possible. Each player is dealt seven cards, and the first two and the seventh card are dealt face down. The remaining four cards are dealt face up, and the player with the lowest-ranking hand wins the pot.
• Deuce to Seven Triple Draw
  Deuce to seven (2-7) triple draw is a draw poker game where the goal is to create the lowest-ranking hand possible. Each player is dealt five cards, and they have the option to discard any or all of their cards and receive new ones from the dealer. The catch is that aces count as high cards, and straights and flushes count against the player's hand.

Types of Bets in Poker

In poker, bets are placed during different stages of the game, and players can choose from different types of bets depending on the game variation and the round they are in. Here are the most common types of bets in poker:

• Ante: This is a forced bet that every player at the table must place before the start of the game. The ante is usually a very small bet and it serves as an incentive for players to play more aggressively.
• Blind: In games like Texas hold 'em and Omaha, the two players sitting to the left of the dealer are required to place blinds. The player sitting immediately to the left of the dealer places the small blind while the next player places the big blind. In most cases, the big blind is twice the amount of the small blind. Blinds serve as the initial pot in a hand of poker.
• Call: A call is when a player matches the current bet in a round of betting. For example, if the bet is $10, then a call is also $10.
• Raise: A raise is when a player increases the current bet in a round of betting. For example, if the bet is $10, a raise can be any amount bigger than $10.
• Check: If a player does not want to place a bet, they can choose to check, which means they will remain in the game without adding any more money to the pot. Checking is only possible when no bets have been placed in the current round.
• Fold: A player can choose to fold if they do not wish to continue playing. When a player folds, they forfeit their cards and any money they have bet in the hand.

Poker Types FAQ

Is it necessary to know all types of poker to be a good player?

No, it is not necessary to know about all types of poker to be a good player. However, having knowledge of different types of poker can make you a more versatile player and help you adjust to different game types and situations easily.

Can I use the same strategies in all types of poker?

No, each type of poker has its own unique set of rules and strategies. Players must adopt and adjust strategies based on the type of poker they are playing.

What is the difference between draw and stud poker?

In draw poker, players are dealt a complete hand of cards and they can choose to discard some or all of their cards and receive replacements in exchange. In stud poker, players are dealt a mix of face-up and face-down cards over several betting rounds, and they must use their memory and observation skills to estimate their opponents' hands.

What are the most popular types of poker in community poker?

The most popular community poker game is Texas hold' em.