Types of Poker: Popular Variants, Their Rules, and Features

Key Facts About Poker Variants

Texas Holdem dominates online poker. Over 85% of hands played online follow NL Holdem rules. Other facts about poker variants are:

• Most games use a 52-card deck. 

• Online, you can play: Holdem, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Draw Poker, Short Deck, Badugi, Pineapple, H.O.R.S.E., and 8-Game.

• Board games include: Holdem, Omaha, and Short Deck.

• Mixed games focus heavily on Stud and its variations.

• The simplicity of rules, popularity, and abundance of learning resources make Holdem the best choice for novice players.

• The largest tournaments in the industry are played under NL Holdem rules.

How Many Types of Poker Exist and How They Differ

Let's look at the most popular types of poker. The schedule of the most prestigious live festival — the World Series of Poker — helps gauge interest in the games. In 2025, 100 tournaments were held in Las Vegas. Here's a statistical overview:

No Limit Texas Holdem leads by a wide margin. Omaha follows. Other notable variants include: Short Deck, Chinese Poker, Draw Poker, Seven Card Stud, Razz, Badugi, H.O.R.S.E. 

Poker types are classified by:

• Betting Rules. In Holdem, Omaha, and Short Deck, players bet on four streets: preflop, flop, turn, river. In Five Card Poker, bets are made before and after the draw. In Stud and Razz, opponents place bets from the 3rd to the 7th street.

• Betting Limits. In no-limit versions, you can invest any money amount on any street. In pot-limit types, you cannot bet more than the pot. Limit game rules restrict poker players the most. For example, in Limit Holdem, you cannot stake more than one blind on the preflop and flop. On the turn and river, you can bet 2 BB. Raise counts are also limited.

• Game Objective. In Holdem, Omaha, and Stud, the pot goes to the player with the strongest hand. Standard hierarchy rules apply from high card to royal flush. In Razz, Omaha Hi-Lo, Lowball, and several other games, the weakest hand wins. 

Further divisions can be made based on other criteria. For instance, the number of cards in the deck: Texas Holdem uses a 52-card pack, Short Deck uses a 36-card one. Poker types are also segregated by mechanics: in Pot-Limit Omaha, you play against real people; in Oasis, against the casino dealer. 

Texas Holdem: The Most Popular Poker Type

Texas Holdem has dominated the industry since the 1970s. The most important tournament of the year — the Main Event WSOP — follows NL Holdem rules. The move of poker to the internet solidified Holdem's popularity. NL Holdem still holds the top position today. To assess Texas Holdem's lead over competitors, take a look at the tournament schedule of the leading online room POKEROK. In March 2026, 90% of the tournaments in the lobby adhered to NL Holdem rules. The cash game statistics were similarly comparable, with over 80% of hands attributed to Holdem. 

On the POKEROK platform, you can play these poker versions: Texas Holdem, Omaha, and Short Deck

A hand in NL Holdem starts with two forced bets from players in the small and big blind positions. Their contributions encourage more active participation instead of waiting for premium cards. A hand comprises four betting rounds: preflop, flop, turn, and river. On the preflop, each player receives two cards. Opponents can: bet, call, raise, or fold their hand. If the game reaches the flop, three community cards are placed on the board, and a second betting round ensues. Later, a fourth and fifth card are added. Each card's unveiling triggers a new round of betting.

The best position at the table is the button or BTN. The player on BTN acts last and gains insight into other opponents' decisions. The toughest spot is the early position or UTG, acting first with no information about opponents' actions.

The most popular Texas Holdem variant is the no-limit version, where a player can wager all their chips at any point in the hand. Limit Holdem enjoyed high interest during the early days of online poker. Fixed Limit Holdem rules restrict bet and raise sizes. In Pot-Limit Holdem, a player cannot bet more than the current pot amount.

Short Deck

Short Deck or Six Plus Holdem was devised in 2015. The game was showcased at the Triton Poker Series in 2018. Soon, Short Deck appeared in the lobbies of various providers such as PokerStars, RedStar Poker, PokerOK.

Before playing, study the specific room's Short Deck rules. Platforms apply different approaches when defining the strongest hand

The main distinction of Short Deck from Texas Holdem is the truncated 36-card deck. Small cards, such as twos, threes, fours, and fives, have been removed. The rules have also changed:

• Flush outranks full house. Deck reduction decreases outs for a flush, elevating its rank in the hierarchy.

• The lowest straight consists of different cards. In a full deck, the weakest straight is A-2-3-4-5. In Short Deck, it's A-6-7-8-9. 

• Blinds are replaced by antes. In Short Deck, all players at the table make forced bets. BTN pays double ante. 

• On some platforms, a set beats a straight. 

The absence of low denominations increased the game's dynamism. Players began forming stronger hands more frequently, leading to increased variance.

Omaha — The Second Most Popular Poker Type

Omaha was created in the late 1970s. The game quickly gained traction, earning a spot in the WSOP schedule in 1983. A few years later, PLO events increased to three. By WSOP-2025, Omaha poker and its variations ranked second in tournament count. 

The largest online poker pot in history was won in an Omaha hand: the winner took home $7,750,652

PLO is distinguished from NL Holdem by the number of cards in the starting hand. In Omaha, players are dealt four cards. A second distinction is the rule that the final hand must include two cards from a player's starting hand and three from the board. It's not permissible to use all five board cards to make a flush in Omaha.   

Pot-Limit Omaha is the most popular but not the only variant. Other variations include:

• Five Card Omaha. Key difference: the starting hand contains five cards. Other rules align with PLO.

• Six Card Omaha. Players receive six cards on the preflop.

• Omaha Hi-Lo. Pot is split between the best and worst hands. Straights and flushes don't count for low hands. Therefore, A-2-3-4-5 is considered the strongest low hand. Rules allow players to achieve both the best and worst hands simultaneously, taking the entire pot. 

• Courchevel. On the preflop, players are dealt five cards, plus the dealer places one on the table. Then the first betting round occurs. The community card aids in assessing the game's potential. On the flop, two more cards enter the board. Turn and river follow the classic sequence.

Players continue to experiment with Omaha, leading to new poker varieties like Dramaha.

Stud Poker: 7-Card Stud and Razz

Seven Card Stud’s peak popularity was mid-20th century. Its main difference from Texas Holdem is the absence of community cards. Throughout a hand, players receive seven cards to form their final hand. To succeed in Seven Card Stud, one must track opponents' actions and exposed cards. 

Online, 7-Card Stud doesn’t generate great interest. Stud poker can be played on: PokerKing, Phenom Poker, SWC Poker

In Seven Card Stud, there are no blinds; the starting pot forms from players’ antes. Each participant receives three cards: two face down and one face up. The player with the weakest face-up card makes the force bet — bring-in. Betting occurs in five rounds or streets. In the fourth round, players get one face-up card each. First action falls to the player with the best combination or highest card, making a small bet. In the fifth and sixth rounds, players receive a new face-up card each. On the last street — river — players get a face-down card. First bet goes to the player with the strongest visible hand.

Several game variations run parallel. These include:

• Stud Hi-Lo. Half the pot goes to the best hand, half to the worst. To form a low and claim the lower pot, a combination of cards no higher than eight is needed. 

• Razz. The objective is to form the weakest hand. Another distinction from Seven Card Stud: the initial bet falls to the player with the best face-up card. Traditionally, the first move falls on the player with the worst card. 

• Mississippi Stud. Game rules abolish betting on the fifth street. On the seventh street, opponents receive one community card instead of individual closed cards.

Seven card poker has conceded leadership to Holdem, yet the game’s unique mechanics maintain a substantial fanbase. Stud is part of the H.O.R.S.E. and 8-Game rotation.

Draw Poker and Lowball 

Draw poker ruled before No Limit Texas Holdem’s ascent. The game’s primary distinction from NL Holdem is the lack of community cards. Each player receives a five-card starting hand. The combination is improvable via card exchange during the hand. 

Lowball is more popular than classic draw poker

Two to six people play per table. The starting pot forms from blinds or antes. Players receive five face-down cards. They assess the strength of their starting hand and place their bets. If there are remaining participants, it's time for the draw. Rules allow exchanging one to five cards. Opponents observe the number of cards exchanged. A final betting round follows. Then the showdown occurs, where opponents compare hand strength based on traditional rules.

Without a community board, deducing opponents’ hands is more challenging. Clues can come from exchanged card counts, the opponent's aggression level, and reputation.

Several Five Card Poker variants stand out:

• Lowball. A reverse-priority game — the weakest hand wins the draw. In Lowball, the top hand is 2-3-4-5-7. Straights and flushes count, making A-2-3-4-5 not a top low. 

• 2-7 Triple Draw. A Lowball variation with three draw rounds.

• 2-7 Single Draw. A Lowball variation with one draw round.

Five Card Poker offers less analytical space. The version with classical combination rules is less popular than Lowball.

Badugi

Badugi combines elements of Lowball and Razz. The poker variant was invented in South Korea in the 1980s. PokerStars popularized the game, adding Badugi Poker to its lobby in 2004. Each player is dealt a starting hand of four face-down cards. The game lacks community cards. The winner in Badugi is the player with the lowest possible hand. Best hands feature low, unsuited cards. Akin to a royal flush, in Badugi this is A-2-3-4 all of different suits.

In Badugi Poker, a game’s outcome can be reversed at the last moment 

During a hand, players partake in four betting rounds, preceded by compulsory bets from the small and big blinds. Badugi rotation follows the clockwise direction. The first round of betting occurs when opponents receive starting cards. Before the second betting stage, players can exchange one to four cards. The third and fourth rounds follow the second round’s pattern. Then opponents reveal their final hands to determine the winner.

The most popular Badugi version involves fixed-limit play. Players cannot go all-in at any point. To build the pot, systematic betting is necessary. 

Badugi uses particular showdown hand comparison rules. If a player's hand includes suited cards or duplicates, they’re excluded from contention. In a battle between a player with four cards versus one with three, the former automatically wins. For example, the hand 2s3d4c5s loses to AsKdQcJh because the spade five is removed. When both players have an equal card count, card value is examined. The holder of the highest card is deemed the loser. If initial card values are the same, subsequent ones are compared. 

Chinese Poker (Open Face Chinese or Pineapple)

Pineapple was invented in the mid-2010s. Commonalities with classic poker are: 1) a 52-card deck; 2) combination hierarchy. In other respects, Pineapple resembles solitaire. Chinese Poker lacks a community board. Opponents do not directly compete. The pot cannot be won by bluffing. Opponents do not place blinds.

You can play Pineapple on: Pokerdom and Chico Poker

In Chinese Poker, two to four players participate per table. Each player receives 13 cards. The aim is to fill three lines with combinations and surpass opponents in points. The first line consists of three cards, the second and third lines of five each. Hand strength should grow from the first line to the third. If a player collects a pair of 99 in the first line, they can’t form a combination lower than TT in the second line. Breaching the combination growth rule results in automatic defeat. 

Points in Pineapple are called “units.” When a player shows the best combination in any line, they earn one point. Additional points are awarded for specific combinations. For instance, a pair of aces in the top line grants nine points, a set of kings — 21. A royal flush in the bottom line awards 32 points. The exact points depend on the platform. 

In parallel with classic Chinese Poker, there’s Pineapple 2-7. To win, players must worsen their hand with each line. 

H.O.R.S.E. and Mixed Games (8-Game)

H.O.R.S.E. and 8-Game are considered the most complex disciplines. H.O.R.S.E. encompasses five poker types:

• Holdem.

• Omaha Hi-Lo.

• Razz.

• Stud.

• Eight or Better Seven Card Stud.

During the game, Holdem, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi-Lo continuously rotate. Each discipline has an equal number of hands or allotted time. Recently, the approach of rotating poker types every eight hands has dominated. To win at H.O.R.S.E., players must display exceptional skill across all poker types. Thus, winning a WSOP H.O.R.S.E. tournament is highly prestigious. 

At the latest WSOP, mixed games accounted for over 10% of the schedule

8-Game requires more versatility, as it involves rotating through eight poker types:

• Lowball.

• Limit Holdem.

• Omaha Hi-Lo.

• Razz.

• Seven Card Stud.

• Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo.

• No Limit Holdem. 

• Pot-Limit Omaha.

Mixed games have gradually gained momentum. The first HORSE tournament at WSOP happened in 2003, won by Doyle Brunson. In pursuit of more variety, players invented T.O.R.S.E., replacing Holdem with 2-7 Triple Draw. The next step towards universal gameplay was 8-Game. The industry didn’t stop at eight; they conceived the Dealers Choice format. In it, the player on the button decides which poker type will be played. The next hand allows another game choice. The full range features 20 poker variations.

Comparative Table of All Poker Types

Let’s consolidate key information about poker variations into a table:

Where to Start: Choosing a Poker Variant for Beginners

It is recommended that beginners start with No Limit Texas Holdem. NL Holdem is easier to master than other card games. Numerous educational materials favour Holdem too, with thousands of videos and hundreds of books dedicated to it. Consider the popularity of NL Holdem on the internet, as all industry rooms offer the game. Many platforms organise free tournaments with cash prizes.

Once you've achieved proficiency in Texas Holdem, consider exploring Pot-Limit Omaha. PLO is more complex than NL Holdem due to four cards in the starting hand and high variance. An illustrative example: in Holdem, a player may receive 1,326 combinations on the preflop; in Omaha, it's over 270,000. Also, bear in mind the diversity of the discipline. Omaha includes several games: pot-limit, five-card, six-card, hi-lo, dramaha, Courchevel. Each variation has its peculiarities.

Omaha poker is more complex than Holdem, so it's not recommended to start with it

Fans of mixed games should master Seven Card Stud. In H.O.R.S.E., 60% of hands are played in Stud and its variations. Skills in Seven Card Stud will also be beneficial in 8-Game. Stud significantly differs from Holdem, complicating learning. The game lacks a common board, and betting follows a different sequence. Stud has fewer educational resources against it.

The FF Start educational course can assist in initial steps in tournament poker. It comprises 30 lessons covering key topics: poker mathematics, adapting to various opponent types, short stack strategy, and final table strategy. A simulator allows skill enhancement through practice. An exam sums up the training. Graduates are invited to the next level in FF Player's Path.