Explore the intriguing world of poker with an overview of some of its most popular variants.
#1 Texas Hold’em
As the dominant variant, Texas Hold’em is foundational in both casinos and competitive play. Simple to learn yet challenging to master, players are dealt two private cards and use these along with five communal cards to build the strongest possible 5-card hand.
#2 Omaha Hi
Emerging from the Midwest in the early 20th century, Omaha Hi shares some similarities with Texas Hold’em but introduces its unique twist. Players receive four private cards but must use exactly two of these in conjunction with three of the five communal cards to form their hand, making the strategy significantly different and more complex.
#3 Omaha Hi-Lo
An extension of Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo splits the pot between the highest and lowest hands, which adds an additional layer of strategy as players try to win one or both halves of the pot by constructing two possible hands.
#4 HORSE
HORSE combines five poker games into a single format, cycling through Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud, and Eight-or-Better. It’s a comprehensive test of a player’s poker skills, challenging them to adapt to different rules and strategies with each round.
#5 Razz
A variation that contrasts most poker games, Razz aims for the lowest hand instead of the highest. This game became popular among poker enthusiasts in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in California. It’s played with up to seven cards, with the best hand being A-2-3-4-5, known as the “wheel” or “bicycle,” where straights and flushes do not count against the player.
Each of these poker variants offers a unique challenge and requires a different strategy, making the game of poker a diverse and enduring card game favorite.
