Poker requires some skill, but it’s one of the best online casino games for beginners who are looking for a game that isn’t just about luck. Knowing the rules and value of each hand is only half of the game, as you’ll also need a strong mind and the ability to make decisions under pressure, especially if you’re hoping to compete in online poker tournaments.

As a new player, you’ll likely have lots of questions regarding the different types of poker games available. This guide covers some of the most common poker game variations and how they’re played. This will help you decide which one appeals to you most.

Different Poker Variations for Beginners

It may come as a surprise, but there are many more types of poker other than Texas Hold’em. So, how many types of poker are there? There are three main classifications of poker: draw poker, stud poker, and community card poker. Each of these has numerous variations. Some of these categories of poker games are more popular than others, but this is due to a variety of differences, such as hand values, the number of betting rounds, and the actions that are taken between each round. 

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the most popular types of poker for beginners within these classifications.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em poker is arguably the most popular variation and is widely accessible at both land-based and online casinos. It’s also the preferred poker variant played during online poker tournaments. This variant can be played with anything from two to 10 players at the same table, which can greatly affect your position at the table. But whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em online or live, the principles remain the same.

The aim of the game is to create the best possible five-card hand using the hole and community cards. The winning hand is the highest-ranking poker hand in a specific hierarchy of poker hands.

At the start of the game, the two players sitting to the left of the dealer each have to place a forced bet known as a blind (there is a small blind and a big blind, which helps to build the pot). This signals the start of the hand when each player receives two “hole” cards. Always dealt face down, hole cards are private and can only be viewed by the player.

The game begins with the player to the left of the blinds placing a bet. The action moves around the table with players either checking, raising, or folding so that everyone still playing has bet an equal amount. At any point, a player can fold if they don’t wish to continue. 

Once the opening betting round has ended, the dealer deals the flop face-up in the center of the table. These are the first three of five community cards, which any player can use to improve their hand. The flop is followed by another round of betting. The final two community cards, known as the turn and the river, are revealed one at a time, with betting taking place between each round. 

If you’re looking to explore more, you can review additional Texas Hold’em poker game variations that introduce different betting structures like limit, no limit, or pot-limit formats.

The most popular of these variants is No Limit Texas Hold’em. “No Limit” simply means that there’s no cap on how much a player can bet. At any time, you can go all in and risk your entire stack of poker chips. This makes it a risky game for beginners to get involved in, so it’s a good idea to test the pros and cons of Limit vs No Limit Texas Hold’em first. Only a great deal of practice can show you how to play No Limit Texas Hold’em at a competitive level, but you must be prepared to face big moves and risk all your chips. This is a good time to do some online Texas Hold’em tutorials.

Omaha (Hi)

Omaha poker is regarded as one of the best poker games for skilled players due to its high-profit potential. It plays similarly to Texas Hold’em, with five community cards, but each player receives four hole cards and must use exactly two of them in combination with three of the community cards to form the best hand. As a result, Omaha poker strategies tend to be relatively complex.

Omaha’s popularity is driven by the higher number of strong playable hands that result from being dealt four hole cards. For players looking for a more complex variation, Omaha Hi-Lo offers even more excitement by splitting the pot between the best high and low hands. 

Five-Card Draw

Five Card Draw is the oldest poker variation and the game that many players still start off with. It’s easy to learn how to play Five Card Draw Poker – each player is dealt five cards, and after a betting round, they can swap out some cards to improve their hand. The goal is to have the best five-card poker hand at the end. There are no community cards – it’s all about strategy based on hand strength or pure bluff.

Seven-Card Stud

Seven-card Stud used to be the most popular poker variation in the United States. Often simply referred to as Stud, it was eclipsed by Texas Hold’em, but now it’s making a comeback.

When it comes to learning how to play Seven-Card Stud, the biggest difference between it and Texas Hold’em or Omaha is that Stud does not involve a flop or community cards.

Instead, two to eight players are dealt seven cards – three face down and four face-up – with the aim to make the strongest five-card combination possible over several betting rounds.

Pineapple Poker

Another great beginner-friendly poker game is Pineapple poker. Similar to Texas Hold’em, but players are dealt three hole cards instead of two, and one must be discarded at a specific point in the hand. As a result of this slight twist, playing Pineapple poker introduces new strategic depth without deviating far from familiar Hold’em mechanics. You can find this and other online poker games explored further in our guide on new and lesser-known poker variants.

Short Deck (Advanced Beginners)

Not usually found in major poker tournaments, Short Deck poker is played with a reduced deck of 36 cards, with all twos through fives removed. Another notable change in this variation is that a flush beats a full house. The increased odds of drawing stronger hands make this a fast-paced and entertaining variant for newcomers.

While Short Deck is relatively easy to learn, its unconventional hand rankings may pose a challenge for players looking to transition into more traditional formats later on. However, if you’re just looking for a fun, casual option, it’s a terrific way to experience poker from a whole new angle.

Why Beginners Should Start with These Variants

What are the best home poker variants to play with friends? If your friends are new to poker, then classic Five Card Draw is a great way to start because it’s easy to learn and less intimidating than Texas Hold’em. This makes it one of the best poker variants for beginners. 

If your friends are looking for more of a challenge, strategic Texas Hold’em is the way to go. As the group gains in confidence, you can add Omaha and other variants to the mix. If everyone is comfortable with the internet, you can even begin to explore simple poker games to play online.

Variants to Try Once You’re Comfortable

There are many more types of poker other than Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Once you’re comfortable with these popular variants, you can continue to test your skills with mixed and low-ball games. You might even consider trying these variants as alternatives to Texas Hold’em and Omaha if you’re interested in poker tournaments.

Mixed Games

Mixed games combine several poker styles into a single rotation, challenging players to adapt quickly. Beginners may not start here, but it’s helpful to be aware of formats like HORSE or Dealer’s Choice. You can learn about different poker mixed games like Razz, HORSE, and others to see what more advanced tournament structures involve.

Stud Hi-Lo (Eight or Better)

Stud Hi-Lo is becoming one of the more popular stud poker variants. Played like classic Stud, with each player receiving two hole cards and one face-up card. The difference with hi-lo is that there are two pots to win – one with the high hand and one with the low hand. 

If there’s a low and a high qualifying hand, the pot is split. Low hands qualify with A-5 lowball rankings; straights and flushes don’t count against them. Players can scoop both the low and high pots. If no low hand qualifies, the high hand wins the full amount.

2-7 Triple Draw Lowball

In this lowball draw poker variant, the goal is to make the lowest possible hand. Aces are high, and straights and flushes count against the low hand, so the best low hand is 7-5-4-3-2.

Tips for Learning Poker Online

So, where to start when learning poker online? BetMGM offers a safe learning environment where you can explore all the best online poker games for beginners and develop at your own pace. 

Once you’ve learned how to play poker online and mastered all the poker strategies for beginners, you can move on to a higher level of play and take part in poker tournaments. This will expose you to a broad range of playing styles, so you forge your own in the heat of battle. As a general rule, though, a golden tip is to always keep things fun. Poker is just a game, so play responsibly, manage your bankroll, and keep a balance in life.

Play Poker Online at BetMGM

Ready to play poker with real money? Sign up at BetMGM for a premium poker experience. New to the game? Get to know the top poker variations for new players and improve your beginner poker strategy online. 

Seasoned player? Enjoy the challenge of cash games and poker tournaments to suit your skills and bankroll. Get started with a generous online poker welcome bonus.