Today, if you were to mention poker, most people would immediately think of Texas Hold’em. This commonly played poker variant has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity since the early 2000s. However, there are many other exciting poker variations that people play, including some you may never have heard of—and even top poker variants that are great for beginners.

This guide shares the most popular poker games played in casinos and online, along with their origins and how to play them.

1. Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is the most played poker variant globally, thanks to its combination of playability, strategy, and suspense. These characteristics are why Texas Hold’em poker game variations are invariably the first choice for the main events at so many popular poker tournaments.

It’s also the variant that’s had the most media exposure, with great movies like “Rounders” and “Casino Royale” featuring protagonists who play Texas Hold’em. The true life story of Chris Moneymaker, an unknown poker player who took the professional poker world by storm, has also helped raise the profile of poker and Texas Hold’em, thanks to his World Series of Poker 2003 win.

How to Play Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em poker is a community card game traditionally run by a dedicated dealer in a casino or competitive poker venue. If there isn’t a dedicated dealer available, such as in a home environment, each player has a turn to be the dealer, starting with one player and then moving around the table in a clockwise direction. The game can have a maximum of nine players. The aim of the game is for a player to win the pot in each round of play.

The pot is seeded by the small blind and big blind, who have to put money into the pot as an incentive. The small blind and big blind rotate clockwise around the table in the spirit of fairness so that each player has to make a contribution towards the starting pot. The small blind is seated to the left of the dealer, while the big blind is seated to the left of the small blind. The pot also grows as players make bets each round.

Each round of poker starts with the dealer giving each player two cards. After each player has received their two cards, there are potentially five rounds of play. During each round, players can decide to check, fold, or raise. Players must also call or match another player’s raise—if another player does so—or fold their hands if they choose not to match the raise.

The first round is the pre-flop round, where no community cards have been shared. Then there are the flop (where three community cards are shared), turn (where an additional community card is shared), and river (where the final community card is shared) rounds.

Finally, there’s the showdown, where two or more remaining players must reveal their hands in order for a winner to be declared.

If only one player remains during any round of play, they may claim the pot without revealing their cards.

For players who have the ambition, guts, and dedication to play professionally, Texas Hold’em is the best poker game to learn. For a detailed overview, check out BetMGM’s complete guide to Texas Hold’em poker.

2. Seven Card Stud

Before Texas Hold’em came along, there was Seven Card Stud. This was the most popular poker variant before Texas Hold’em exploded in popularity in the early 2000s. The goal of this game is to make the strongest five-card hand using the seven cards you get throughout a round.

How to Play Seven Card Stud

A game of Seven Card Stud can feature up to eight players. The game begins with each player placing an ante bet into the pot. The dealer, who can be a player or a dedicated dealer, deals each player three cards. Two of these cards are face down, while one is face up.

The player with the lowest value card facing up opens the betting. This is also known as the “bring in” bet. But in the event of a tie, alphabetical order comes into play, with the first letter of the suit of each card used to decide which player goes first. After the first bettor has been decided, each player clockwise from their position can choose to check, fold, or raise. Just like many other poker games, a raise must be called (a matching bet placed) or the player must fold.

A fourth card is then dealt face-up. This is known as Fourth Street. The player who receives the highest-value fourth card begins the next round of betting, with bets continuing clockwise. This same pattern takes place for the fifth card (fifth street) and sixth card (sixth street).

The seventh and final card is dealt face down. This is known as the seventh street. The holder of the highest value card that’s visible starts betting, as with the previous streets.

After all the bets are completed, if there are two or more players left, they reveal all seven of their cards. The player with the strongest five-card hand wins.

It’s easy to learn how to play Seven Card Stud, but be aware that of all the types of Stud poker, it’s the most complex and strategic.

3. Omaha

The origins of this top poker variant are unclear, with different sources offering their own histories. Setting that aside, the goal of Omaha poker is to make the strongest hand of five cards using the four cards in your hand plus the five community cards.

How to Play Omaha

When it comes down to it, Omaha is a community card game in which up to 10 players can take part. This game either features a dedicated dealer or a player who takes on the dealer role. The player to the left of the dealer is the small blind, while the player to the left of the small blind is the big blind.

This variant of poker consists of five rounds of play: the pre-flop round, the post-flop round, the turn, the river, and the showdown. Each player receives four hole cards during the pre-flop round. The small blinds and big blinds place their bets.

Play continues clockwise from the big blind, with each player deciding if they want to check, fold, or raise. A player must call (match another player’s raise) or fold if they choose not to. 

Once all the players have made their decisions and the bets have been placed, the community cards are revealed. This is the post-flop round. Again, players decide to check, fold, or raise. Then the turn round begins and another community card is revealed. Yet again, players decide to check, fold, or raise. The final community card is revealed during the river, and players decide to check, fold, or raise.

The last round is the showdown, and if there is more than one player remaining, either the person to the left of the dealer or the last person who bet or raised reveals their hand. This is followed by the remaining players. The player with the highest value hand wins.

If you want to compare Texas Hold’em vs Omaha, Omaha feels like Texas Hold’em taken to a higher, more strategic level.

4. Five Card Draw

Five Card Draw may not feature among competitive online poker game types, but it is still played by many people who enjoy it because it’s so easy to learn how to play Five Card Draw Poker.

How to Play Five Card Draw

The goal of this game is to make the strongest five-card hand. This poker variant allows for a maximum of six players. Before receiving their cards, each player must place an ante bet. The dealer then gives each player a card until they all have five.

The action kicks off with the player to the left of the dealer. Each player in turn must decide whether to check, flop, or raise. A player must call (match a raise) if another player raises, or fold if they choose not to match the raise. 

Once each player has made their decision, they must choose which cards to keep and which cards to discard. The dealer will then deal each player new cards, depending on how many cards they choose not to keep.

Each player then chooses to check, flop, or raise, with players needing to again match a raise or fold. With this new set of five cards, players must reveal their hands to decide who the winner is.

If all players but one choose to fold, the last remaining person in play claims the pot.

Honorable Mentions: Other Great Poker Variants

In addition to these commonly played poker variants, you might want to check out some of the lesser-known poker variants out there. 

A good start would be the games that make up the letters of H.O.R.S.E—a popular tournament format. H is for Hold’em, and O is for Omaha, while R is for Razz – a lowball version of Seven Card Stud in which the aim is to form the lowest hand. Aces are low, and flushes and straights count for nothing, so the ultimate hand is A-2-3-4-5. Razz is probably the best type of poker for beginners curious about lowball games.

Moving on, S is for Seven Card Stud, while E is for Eight or Better, otherwise known as Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo. Here, the pot is split—you can win one with the best high hand, and the other with the best low hand. When it comes to low hand rankings, aces are high, and flushes and straights are discounted, so the nuts consist of 2-3-4-5-7.

As you can see, it pays to study up on succeeding with unfamiliar poker variants and to learn types of poker other than Texas Hold’em.

Why These Poker Variants Are So Popular

The answer as to why poker is so popular is a combination of factors. It’s important that it’s a player-banked game—there’s no casino edge, and anyone can play. The only thing separating players is their skill. 

At the same time, it’s not exclusively about skill—the element of chance means that even a rookie player stands a chance of taking down a pro once in a while. 

How to Choose the Right Poker Variant for You

Which of these popular poker variants is the right one for you to explore? Ultimately, whether you choose traditional vs modern poker variants will depend on what style of play you enjoy. 

Texas Hold’em tends to favor aggressive, challenging play, while remaining simple enough for anyone to enjoy. The poker math behind Omaha is more complex, making it a challenge for more strategic-minded players. Seven Card Stud offers a different range of possibilities, thanks to all the cards in view—you can play strategically or bluff. Five Card Stud is more of a gambling game to play with friends. Usually, it’s a good idea to learn them all and play until you find a variant that suits you.

Beginner-Friendly Tips for Playing Popular Poker Variants

Success in poker takes more than just learning the rules—you have to develop your own strategies. Poker strategies for beginners are based on common sense, such as starting off with low-stakes games that don’t cost too much money, so you can spend the time you need to learn without worrying about large losses. With that, you’ll want to master hand selection. Start off by learning the best and worst opening hands for your chosen poker variant, and try to understand why they are strong or weak. 

At the same time, study the importance of table position in community card games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Also, observe your opponents and learn from their successes and mistakes. Above all, keep learning—there’s plenty of material out there to study.

Play Poker Online at BetMGM

Pick a poker variant and play poker with real money at BetMGM. Explore the top poker variants mentioned in this article and take part in cash games and tournaments at stakes to suit your budget. 

Meet like-minded players and while you’re at it, explore BetMGM Casino, with its broad range of slots and table games. First time at BetMGM? Get your online poker welcome bonus upon signing up.