Top 12 Types of Poker You Need to Learn

In this blog post, we’ll explore various types of poker games, including video poker. If you’ve only experienced Texas Hold’em or are a newcomer to poker, we're here to introduce you to other exciting poker variants you might enjoy. We'll guide you through some of the most popular poker games that every enthusiast should try. Additionally, we’ll break down the fundamental rules for each, so you can confidently join a game and start playing.

Top 12 Poker Variations

When exploring different types of poker, the game can vary based on several elements. These variations shape the gameplay experience, making each poker type unique. Some of the most well-known and widely played poker games include:

• Texas Hold’em
• Short Deck Poker
• Pineapple Poker
• Pot Limit Omaha
• Omaha Hi-Lo
• 7-Card Stud
• 5-Card Draw
• Badugi
• Big O
• Razz
• 8 Game Mix
• Chinese Poker

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game in the world. Each player gets two private cards, known as hole cards. Then, five community cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table in stages.

The game starts with two players posting small forced bets called the blinds — just to get the action going. Once everyone has their hole cards, the first round of betting begins. Depending on the format, players can either bet fixed amounts (Limit Hold’em) or go all-in at any time (No Limit Hold’em).

Next comes the flop, where three community cards are placed on the table. Players now have more information and can bet, check, or fold based on how strong their hand looks. A fourth card, the turn, is then revealed, followed by another round of betting. Finally, the fifth and last card, called the river, is dealt — leading to the final round of betting.

If two or more players are still in the hand after the river, there’s a showdown. Everyone reveals their cards, and the player with the best five-card poker hand — using any combination of hole and community cards — wins the pot. Standard poker hand rankings apply, with a royal flush being the strongest possible hand.

Short Deck Poker

Short Deck Poker, also called Six Plus Hold’em, is a fun twist on regular Texas Hold’em — but with fewer cards. All the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s are taken out of the deck, so you play with just 36 cards. That means you’ll see stronger hands more often, like pocket aces or pocket kings, which makes the game faster and more action-packed.

The hand rankings are a bit different too. In this version, a flush actually beats a full house because it’s harder to hit when there are fewer suited cards. Also, the ace can be both high and low, so something like A-6-7-8-9 counts as a straight.

Pineapple Poker

Pineapple is a fun variation of Texas Hold’em that adds a little twist — instead of two hole cards, you get three. But there’s a catch: at some point, you have to get rid of one.

Exactly when you discard depends on the version you’re playing. In regular Pineapple, you throw away one card right after you get your hand. In Crazy Pineapple, you get to keep all three until after the flop, which gives you more options early on. And in Lazy Pineapple, you don’t discard until the very end — at the river — which can lead to some wild hands.

Pot Limit Omaha

Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) is a lot like Texas Hold’em — but with a few key twists. Instead of getting two hole cards, each player gets four.

But there’s a rule: when building your final hand, you must use exactly two of your hole cards and three from the board. No more, no less.

As the name suggests, it’s pot-limit, so the biggest bet you can make is the current size of the pot. That might sound limiting, but in reality, it leads to bigger pots.

Because of the extra hole cards, strong hands (like straights and flushes) show up way more often. So just having top pair won’t cut it — you’ve got to be more selective and strategic with the hands you play.

Omaha Hi-Lo

Omaha Hi/Lo, or Omaha 8, is a version of Omaha where the pot is split between two winners — the best high hand and the best low hand.

Just like in regular Omaha, each player gets four hole cards and uses exactly two of them, along with three community cards, to make their hand.

To win the low half of the pot, your hand must have five unpaired cards ranked 8 or lower (like A-2-3-4-5). If no one has a qualifying low hand, the entire pot goes to the player with the best high hand.

7-Card Stud

Seven Card Stud is a classic poker game where each player gets their own seven cards — there are no community cards like in Texas Hold’em.

It starts with two face-down cards and one face-up. The player with the lowest face-up card kicks things off with a small forced bet called the bring-in.

As the hand progresses, each player receives three more face-up cards and a final face-down card, with a betting round after each new card.

Instead of blinds, players put in antes before the hand begins, and the betting follows fixed limits.

The goal is simple: make the best five-card hand out of your seven.

5-Card Draw

5-Card Draw is one of the easiest and most traditional forms of poker, making it perfect for beginners.

Each player is dealt five private cards, and there are no community cards. Your aim is to make the best five-card hand possible.

After the first round of betting, you get a chance to swap out any number of your cards — or keep them all if you're happy with your hand. This draw phase adds a layer of strategy, as you’re trying to improve your hand while guessing what your opponents might have.

With just two betting rounds — one before and one after the draw.

Badugi

Badugi is a one-of-a-kind poker variant that flips the usual rules on their head. Instead of aiming for a high hand, you're trying to make the lowest possible hand — with a twist.

Each player gets four cards, all face down. The goal? Build a hand with four cards of different suits and no pairs. That’s called a Badugi, and the best one you can have is A-2-3-4, each in a different suit.

You’ll have up to three drawing rounds, where you can choose to throw away and replace any number of cards. After each draw, there’s a round of betting. If nobody ends up with a full four-card Badugi, then the best three-card or two-card hand takes the pot.

Big O

Big O is a wild and action-packed twist on Omaha Hi/Lo. Instead of four hole cards, each player gets five, which means way more hand possibilities and a whole lot more strategy.

Just like in Omaha Hi/Lo, you have to use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to build your best high hand and your best low hand. The pot is split—half goes to the best high, and half to the best qualifying low (a hand made of five unpaired cards ranked 8 or lower).

That extra card changes everything. With more combinations, you’ll see bigger pots, stronger hands, and a lot more aggressive betting.

Razz

Razz is a lowball version of poker where the goal is simple: make the lowest possible hand—not the highest.

It’s played like Seven Card Stud, meaning players get a mix of face-up and face-down cards and don’t swap or draw. What makes Razz different is how hands are ranked: aces are low, and straights and flushes don’t count against you. So the best hand you can make is A-2-3-4-5, also known as the “wheel.”

8 Game Mix

8-Game Mix is a true test of all-around poker skill. Instead of sticking to one variant, this format rotates through eight different games, including both popular and niche types: No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi/Lo, 2-7 Triple Draw, and Limit Hold’em.

The game changes after a set number of hands or time, so players need to constantly switch gears and adjust their strategies.

Chinese Poker

Chinese Poker is a fun and fast-paced game for 2 to 4 players. Each player gets 13 cards and must split them into three separate hands: a three-card front hand (the weakest), a five-card middle hand, and a five-card back hand (the strongest).

The challenge is to arrange your hands in the right order—your back hand must be stronger than your middle, and your middle stronger than your front. Once everyone sets their hands, they’re revealed, and points are awarded based on how each hand compares to the other players’ hands.