The more people get into casino games online, the more new poker variants have come to the fore. Beyond the ever-popular Texas Hold’em and Omaha, these variants provide players with greater variety, unique opportunities to improve their skills, and new thrills. These variants enrich the broader landscape of poker game variations, offering something fresh for players at every level.

Here are three poker variations worth a try.

Double Flop Texas Hold’em

In Double Flop Texas Hold’em, players are dealt two separate sets of three community cards (two flops) followed by a single turn and river card. Each player must then form the best possible hand using one or both sets of community cards in combination with their hole cards. The gameplay dynamics of Double Flop Texas Hold’em require players to adapt their strategies, as they must simultaneously analyze two sets of potential winning combinations.

This unique setup introduces interesting parallels to other Texas Hold’em poker game variations, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy complexity and layered strategy.

Razz Poker

Razz poker is a lowball variant of Seven-Card Stud, where the objective is to create the lowest possible hand using five out of the seven cards dealt. The ace is considered the lowest card, making “the wheel” (ace-2-3-4-5) the best Razz poker hand. The absence of community cards heightens the importance of memorizing folded cards to calculate the odds of improving one’s hand.

With a focus on low hands, Razz poker requires players to adopt a distinct set of strategic principles. Bluffing and semi-bluffing become less effective, emphasizing the importance of patience and careful observation of opponents’ exposed cards. Those interested in mixed poker formats will find Razz featured in different mixed games like Razz and HORSE, which further showcase its value in the poker variant ecosystem.

Open Face Chinese Poker

Open Face Chinese (OFC) Poker has gained immense popularity among poker enthusiasts due to its unique gameplay and social appeal. Each player is dealt 13 cards, and they must arrange them into three separate hands: a five-card hand (the “back” hand), another five-card hand (the “middle” hand), and a three-card hand (the “front” hand).

Strategic decisions in OFC revolve around maintaining balance between strong hands in the back and middle while holding a “legal” hand in the front. The game is played without betting rounds, adding a refreshing twist to traditional poker dynamics. Moreover, the social aspect of OFC, where players openly arrange their cards for opponents to see, fosters an engaging and interactive atmosphere.

OFC is a perfect example of how variations of poker favorites you can play with friends can accommodate both competition and camaraderie.

The Appeal of Lesser-Known Poker Variants

Lesser-known poker versions offer poker players opportunities to expand their horizons and challenge their skills beyond conventional Texas Hold’em. The appeal lies in the novelty and complexity of these games, providing a refreshing experience for seasoned players seeking new challenges and casual players looking to broaden their poker repertoire.

Exploring popular stud poker variants or different types of poker tournaments other than Texas Hold’em and Omaha can help players enhance their adaptability, improve their overall poker skills, and gain a deeper understanding of various poker concepts.

Furthermore, the strategic diversity of these variants fosters an inclusive poker community where players with distinct strengths can thrive in different game formats. If you’re new to these games, exploring the best poker game variations for beginners or understanding how to play different types of poker can be valuable starting points.

Try Your Hand at Poker Variants with BetMGM

Poker is a game of endless evolution, and whether you’re learning new variants or sticking with popular poker variations, BetMGM Poker offers the perfect platform to elevate your experience.

Ready to test your poker skills in a real online setting? You can play poker online at BetMGM in a secure and fully licensed environment. Plus, new players can take advantage of an online poker bonus to get started with added value. Whether you’re refining your edge or expanding your poker playbook, BetMGM Poker is where strategy meets opportunity.