Online Poker Game Variations: From Hold’em to H.O.R.S.E.

poker playerPoker is such a popular card game that people play it all over the world. This has led to many different poker variants because everyone plays it slightly differently.

As an online gambler, however, you can try out all the popular poker variations. Different casinos and poker rooms have various examples of this card betting game. So, you’re free to choose whichever you like the most.

Top Online Poker Variations

These poker game variations are the most popular around the world, both online and offline. This means that you’ll find them on most sites with a poker platform. They include:

  • Texas Hold’em Poker
  • Omaha Poker
  • 7-Card Stud
  • And similar subtypes of these games

Games like Hold’em and Omaha can be found at virtually every casino with poker software.

Texas Hold’em

texas holdem poker gameThe most popular poker game ever is Texas Hold’em. It includes five community cards used by all the players. Plus, each player has their own hand of two cards. Using all seven of them, players have to get as high a hand as possible.

At first, the community cards are closed and only three are revealed after the first round of betting. Then, the two remaining cards are revealed separately after another betting round for each.

Most people start playing poker with Texas Hold’em. However, the professionals don’t stop there.

Games similar to Texas Hold’em include: Pineapple, Manila, Omaha Hold’em

Omaha

Omaha (aka Omaha Hold’em) is very much like Texas Hold’em poker. The difference is that each player receives four cards instead of two. However, when making a hand, they must use only two of their hole cards anyway.

The other three cards must be the community cards as there are five of them in total. Having nine cards to choose from changes the game dramatically. Players can form high hands like Royal Straight or Four of a Kind much more often.

Games similar to Omaha Hold’em include: Omaha Draw, Omaha 8, Omaha Hi/Lo, Big O

7-Card Stud

7 card stud pokerBefore Texas Hold’em, 7-Card Stud was the top poker game everywhere. Still, it remains popular at online casinos today.

In 7-Card Stud, each player gets seven cards and have to make the best five-card combination. Unlike the Hold’em games though, there are no community cards and everyone gets their own set.

There are five betting rounds as players draw new cards, having only three in the beginning. The first two and the 7th card are dealt face down. However, the four cards in the middle are always dealt face up for you and your opponents to see.

Games similar to 7-Card Stud include: Razz, 5-Card Stud, Eight or Better (Hi/Lo Stud)

Other Popular Poker Variations

The poker games below aren’t as often featured online as Texas Hold’em or Stud poker. However, it’s not like they’re obscure. All serious poker fans and players know these games and play them. More than a few are included in the WSOP competitions as well.

So, if you want to explore poker further, these are some must-play games for you:

  • 3-Card Draw
  • Pai Gow
  • H.O.R.S.E.
  • And similar poker titles

3-Card Draw

3 card draw poker3 Card Poker and 3 Card Draw are poker games where each player competes against the dealer. This format is usual at online casinos and can be played at any time in live and non-live versions.

To begin, players have to place an ante. They will then receive three cards and have the option to switch them to improve their hand. As long as the player’s hand is better than the dealer’s, they win double their bet.

Plus, it’s possible to win up to 20:1 fixed payouts by collecting high hands like a Royal Flush or even a Straight.

Games similar to 3-Card Draw include: Caribbean Stud, Oasis Poker

For multiplayer draw poker games, check: 5-Card Draw, 2-7 Lowball, 2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi

Pai Gow Poker

Deriving from the Chinese Pai Gow game that’s unrelated to poker whatsoever, this version offers some unique gameplay. It’s a double hand poker game where the player receives seven cards to make two hands.

One hand must be made of two cards and another of five cards. The player wins if both of his/her hands are better than the dealers’. The game is played with a 53-card deck (the standard deck plus a joker). It’s yet another poker variant that’s very popular at online casinos specifically.

H.O.R.S.E.

horse poker mixed gamesFinally, there are many poker games that mix several variation rules into a single game. H.O.R.S.E. is hands-down the most popular, combining Hold’em, Omaha, Razz and two 7-Card Stud variants.

Usually, it’s played in multiple rounds with each round in a different poker variant. It’s often used in high stakes tournaments and competitions such as WSOP. Combining multiple variants, it’s probably the last one you’ll learn, as it requires knowledge of so many different rules.

Games similar to H.O.R.S.E. include: HOSE, 8-Game Poker

This list doesn’t come near to exhausting all the poker game variations. Regardless, it covers all the main poker types. This includes the ones offered at online casinos and multiplayer poker rooms alike.

So, feel free to use our poker guides and you’ll become an expert in no time.