Best Poker Variants for Newbies

Poker commands huge demand no matter whether it is played, online or live. It takes a mix of luck and skill to consistently come out on top in this game. These days you can play it in a number of different variations. As a new player stating out, there's always the first question to be answered - which variant do i learn first. The three most common ones include Omaha, stud, draw, and Texas Hold’em (although Hold'em is the universally dominant game).

Once you have basic knowledge on how to play poker, you can easily understand how all variants work. Whilst they all have just slight rule changes, most of them adhere to a unique play pattern based on the usual poker hand rankings. In this piece, we'll take a look at some of the best variants for novices to play at, be it online casino poker, online card room or live.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold'em is a game of instinct and trickery where players can "fold" at any moment in the rounds. The betting system used in the game is a massive attraction for fans and makes it the most common type of poker played today. It is fast paced and exciting and there are multiple betting rounds, adding to the allure. Players are dealt two cards, and there are five community cards for everyone to use to make the best possible hand.

The variant can be found in the card games section of any respectable online casino or card room. Before joining the action, you must ensure you’ve signed up at a reliable online casino or card room that pays out your winnings, promptly. Our focus is online poker sites but if you're looking at the casino options, there are comparison sites that will recommend the best online casinos for real money where you can play your favorite card games. You will also get the most recent assessments from industry professionals regarding the greatest games to gamble on, as well as information regarding how to make claims for cash bonuses while you are playing.

Pot-Limit Omaha

Omaha Poker is another big hit with new players. One of the most popular Omaha variations is Pot Limit Omaha Poker. There are a few to choose from, such as  Omaha Hi/Lo, Omaha Hi, and 5-Card Omaha. The rules of Omaha Poker, which are used in all these forms, are identical to those of Texas Hold'em but you’re dealt 4 cards. In Omaha poker, the highest-ranking hand at the end of each round takes home the full pot, hence the name "Hi."

The poker game Omaha Hi-Lo is quite similar to the Omaha Hi version. The basic difference between both kinds of poker is that in Hi-Lo, the pot is split in half after each hand since players compete for the pot’s high and low halves. In 5-Card Omaha, rather than the usual four-hole cards, players in 5-Card Omaha are given five.

Seven Card Stud

A type of casino table game in which players attempt to form the best five-card hand using a standard 52-card deck. There are no community cards in this game as each participant is handed their own. In the first phase of each game of 7 Card Stud, each player receives two downcards with one upcard. Each player then has the option to "call," "raise," or "fold" following the initial deal during the betting round.

The betting pattern in 7 Card Stud is quite simple. After the initial round of betting, any players still in the game receive another upcard. The same procedure is followed for up to five wagering rounds, with a total of seven cards for the existing players.

Draw Poker

At the start of each round, every player receives a hand. Most of the time, the given cards will be hidden from view. Two popular forms of this include 2-7 Triple Draw poker and Five-card Draw poker.

All players in a hand of 2-7 Triple Draw Poker have three opportunities to form the highest potential low hand. To win a hand, flushes and straights are crucial.

In contrast, the goal of 5-Card Draw Poker is to form a five-card hand with the biggest possible value. As conveyed by its name, the winner is the player with the highest value hand.

Chinese Poker

We are adding this one due to the popularity in the far east. Chinese poker is unlike any other form of card game played today. There are a plethora of Chinese Poker variants, including Double-check Poker, Backhand Poker, Turbo Poker, and Pineapple Poker. It's simple to pick up and play, making this combination a fan favorite.

From ancient Chinese poker evolved the game of open-face Chinese poker (OFC). In OFC, players take turns drawing cards from the same deck used for all other poker titles. Every player's ultimate goal is to end the game with the greatest possible hand. A distinctive feature of this poker variant is that wagers are not made after each hand is played. It uses a point system instead.