They say variety is the spice of life, so if you feel like shaking things up a little, why not explore some fun poker games for friends? From exciting Texas Hold’em alternatives to different types of stud poker, this is your chance to try out new play styles, test out new strategies, and take a few risks, either offline or when playing online poker. You can even use it as a learning and teaching opportunity. Once you’ve set the scene for a great night of playing poker at home, you just need to decide which game it’s going to be. Here are some to choose from.

Seven-Card No-Peek

Not to be confused with Seven-Card Stud, this game really ratchets up the fun factor as it requires very little strategy and is all about the luck of the draw, or deal. Only your stake needs some careful risk calculation as the game moves around the table. This ease of play makes it one of the most popular poker variants for total beginners – and a great home poker night idea.

Each player is dealt seven cards. Play and betting open when the person to the left of the dealer turns over just one of their cards. After everyone has placed their bet, the next person to the left turns over one of their cards. If it’s higher than the first player’s, they stop turning, and all bets are on. If it’s lower, the player keeps turning until the total face value of their cards exceeds that of the player to their right. In the event that all seven of the cards revealed by the current player don’t equal the previous player’s hand, their hand is dead, and they’re out until the next hand. Betting and playing then resume until the last player is left standing.

Double Flop Hold ‘Em

This Texas Hold ’Em game variation is double the fun with two sets of community cards, known as the upper board and lower board. Bets are placed between the flop (which is dealt with six cards, three for each of the upper and lower board) and the reveal of the turn and river cards. With only one deck in play, everyone has a chance of figuring out what’s being held versus what’s on the table. 

The best five-card hand on each of the upper and lower boards wins. If you’ve got the best hand on both—jackpot. If not, each winning hand takes a half share of the pot. This is one of the best poker games for groups who play together often and who are looking for something competitive but more along the lines of a different type of poker tournament game. 

Cincinnati Poker

Move over, Omaha Poker; here comes Cincinnati Poker. With four or five cards per hand and four or five cards face-up in the middle (depending on which version you’re playing), any combination of the player’s hand and community cards can be used to make the best five-card hand. After each round of betting, just one community card is revealed. Of all the lesser-known poker variants, this great game teaches what a strong hand really means.

Baseball Poker

Talking of Cincinnati, here’s one for the Reds to play. Really just a variation of stud poker, this one uses baseball’s three strikes, three outs, four balls, and nine innings terminology to give those cards a special value. A three and nine in the hole is wild. Depending on which version of the game you’re playing, players can also match a three or nine played in the open with the value of the pot. The other option is to fold. A four dealt in the open gives that player an additional hole card. This is one of the best types of poker for beginners who are also baseball fans.

Guts

You’ll definitely need some of those to see this game through. There are many types of poker players, so be sure your friends are the kind that appreciate the concept of risk and reward, starting with a decision on the ante. Each player is dealt two, three, or four cards face down, and the players declare “guts” or “no guts.” Guts puts you in the game. No guts is equal to a fold. If you’re in, your bet is the amount of the ante that’s been predetermined. Once all bets have been placed, cards are revealed, and the winning hand takes the pot. This is a great poker variant for home poker games

Blind Man’s Bluff

It’s unlikely you’ll ever include this variant in a poker tournament, but it’s definitely a poker game to play with friends and have some laughs, too. After you’ve been dealt your cards, you reveal them only to everyone else by holding them face forward on your forehead. How much faith do you have in your hand, knowing what everyone else has? Your bet will do the talking. As a bonus, it’s a very easy poker game to learn as well as a great way for beginners to start developing their poker bluffing strategies.

Crazy Pineapple

It’s anyone’s guess where Pineapple Poker got its name from, but it’s one of the more challenging games and will call on all the skills you’ve acquired playing online poker. 

The first round of betting happens after each player is dealt three cards and before the flop. At this point, they must also decide on one card to discard. From this point onward, the game plays out according to classic Texas Hold ’Em rules, with all the twists and turns you might expect.

Red River Hold’em

In Red River, if the river card is a red suit, a further card is dealt until a black card turns up. This might be soon or late enough for it to look like a red river is running across the table. 

Countdown

Countdown is a 5-card draw poker variant. After players have made their first bets, they can decide to get rid of three of their hole cards to make the best hand from their original five cards. After the second round of betting, players can discard up to two cards. In the third round of bets, one card can be discarded, and in the final round of bets, players must reveal their hands to decide the winner. 

Follow the Queen

This creative poker variant is a great addition to mixed poker games. The queen is key to deciding a wild card in this 7-card stud format. When a queen is dealt face up on the board or to a player, the next card dealt and all those with the same rank are considered wild. This includes queens.

Never mind following the queen—this gets complicated as the wild card can change repeatedly within a single hand. You’ll all need your wits about you, so consider playing this poker game without betting initially. 

Play Poker Online at BetMGM

Now that you understand how to play the different types of poker, it’s time to have some fun and play poker with real money. Sign up at BetMGM to enjoy online poker games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud in a broad range of formats, from cash games to tournaments. First time at BetMGM? Get an online poker welcome bonus to start you off.