Poker Variants Guide

What Are Poker Variants?

Poker isn’t just one game—it’s a family of games that all follow a core structure of betting, bluffing, and hand ranking. The three main categories of poker variants are:

Draw Poker – Players receive cards and can exchange some to improve their hand.
Stud Poker – Cards are dealt in a specific order, with some face-up and others hidden.
Community Card Poker – Players combine their cards with shared cards on the table.

Popular Types of Poker Card Games

1. Texas Hold’em
The most played poker variant in the world. Players are dealt two hole cards and use five community cards to make the best hand.

2. Omaha
Similar to Hold’em, but players receive four hole cards and must use exactly two.

3. Seven Card Stud
Once the dominant game before Hold’em, this poker variant involves no community cards, and players must build the best five-card hand from seven dealt cards.

4. Five Card Draw
A traditional home-game favorite and the simplest way to learn poker.

Choosing the Right Variant for You

For strategy lovers: Texas Hold’em and Stud.
For fast action: Omaha or short-deck poker.
For beginners: Five Card Draw or Low-Stakes Hold’em.

Play Poker Variants Online

Quick-start guides
Free versions for practice
Real-money tournaments