Poker Variants & Game Types | Simple Guide
Poker isn’t one single game. It’s a family of games that share the same goal: win chips by showing the best five-card hand or making everyone else fold. The differences are in how cards are dealt, how betting works, and what hands are common. This page explains the main variants in clear, easy English and links to full rule pages so you can start fast and choose the game that fits you.
Main Families of Poker
- Community-card games: Players share five board cards (e.g., Texas Hold’em, Omaha).
- Stud games: Players get a mix of face-down and face-up cards (e.g., Seven-Card Stud).
- Draw games: Players draw new cards to improve (e.g., Five-Card Draw).
- Short-deck / specialty: Rules or deck size change the math (e.g., Short Deck 6+).
Hand Rankings (High)
Most variants use the same high-hand order:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Exceptions exist (e.g., in Short Deck, flush often beats full house). Always check house rules.
Texas Hold’em
The world’s most popular poker game. Two hole cards per player, five community cards on the table, four betting rounds, and lots of strategy around position, ranges, and bet sizing.
Omaha (PLO)
Four hole cards per player and you must use exactly two of them plus three board cards. More draws, bigger pots, and stronger average hands than Hold’em.
Omaha Hi-Lo (O8)
Split-pot Omaha: half the pot to the best high hand, half to the best qualifying low (8-or-better). Aim to scoop both halves with A-2 based hands and nut-draws.
Seven-Card Stud
No community cards. You receive a mix of face-down and face-up cards across seven streets, with a bring-in and antes. Reading boards and “dead cards” is key.
Five-Card Draw
The classic movie poker: five private cards, one drawing round to swap 0–5 cards, then final betting and showdown. Simple rules with deep psychology.
Short Deck Hold’em (6+)
Played with a 36-card deck (2–5 removed). Antes from everyone, lots of action, and different math. In many rooms flush beats full house.
Quick Comparison
| Variant | Cards per player | Shared board? | Typical betting | What makes it unique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Hold’em | 2 | Yes (5) | No Limit (most common) | Most popular; clear strategy around position & ranges. |
| Omaha (PLO) | 4 (use exact 2) | Yes (5) | Pot Limit | More draws/bigger pots; nuts change often. |
| Omaha Hi-Lo (O8) | 4 (use exact 2) | Yes (5) | Pot Limit | Split pot (high + low 8-or-better); aim to scoop. |
| Seven-Card Stud | 7 (best 5) | No | Fixed-Limit | Up-cards visible; strong info game with antes/bring-in. |
| Five-Card Draw | 5 (draw 0–5) | No | Any (home rules) | One draw round; reads come from draw counts and lines. |
| Short Deck 6+ | 2 | Yes (5) | No Limit | 36-card deck; flush often > full house; antes drive action. |
Which Game Should You Start With?
- New player? Start with Texas Hold’em — the base for modern poker strategy.
- Want more action? Try Omaha (PLO) — big draws, big pots.
- Enjoy strategy & information? Go for Seven-Card Stud.
- Classic home-game? Five-Card Draw is pure and simple.
- Love split-pots? Omaha Hi-Lo (O8) — learn to scoop both halves.
- High-speed action? Short Deck 6+ — antes, button blind, and wild equities.
Safety & Responsible Play
Poker is a skill game with luck in the short term. Set a budget, play within your limits, and take breaks. If you feel stress or loss-chasing, step away and talk to someone you trust.
FAQ
Do all variants use the same hand rankings?
Mostly yes for high hands. Short Deck often ranks flush above full house; Stud Hi-Lo and Omaha Hi-Lo add a low-hand qualifier (8-or-better).
What’s the easiest game to learn?
Texas Hold’em has the simplest path to learn and the most learning resources. Five-Card Draw is also very simple but less common in casinos.
What is the “nuts”?
The best possible hand at a given moment. In Omaha, the nuts can change quickly because many draws are live.