woman playing in a poker tournament

18 Nov 2019

Five types of poker that bring a new dimension of fun

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There are lots of different poker games, each varying in style, length and complexity. From well-known classics to up-and-coming variations, these five types of poker are well worth a try.

1. Texas Hold'em

An all-time classic and the perfect starting point if you’re new to the game. It plays out in the following stages:

  • Pre-flop – each player is dealt two ‘hole’ cards face down
  • The flop – then comes three ‘community’ cards dealt face up
  • The turn – you get a fourth community card
  • The river – you get a fifth community card

Bets are placed after each step as players call, raise or fold after checking their cards. The aim: to make the best five-card poker hand out of the seven cards available.

Sometimes two or more players left in the game reveal their cards (a showdown) and the best hand wins. Other times, all but one player will fold and he or she walks away with the pot.

woman playing in a poker tournament

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2. Omaha

Omaha is similar to Texas Hold’em, but there’s a twist.

In Omaha, players receive four ‘hole’ cards (instead of two) and can only use two cards from their hand along with the three community cards. Also, everyone plays right to the end.

Omaha has five community cards with a flop, turn and river and the betting is the same as Texas Hold’em. The player with the best high hand at showdown wins.

3. Seven-card stud

This game was king before Texas Hold'em exploded in popularity. There’s a little more to it and it’s generally thought to involve more skill.

In seven-card stud, you have two to eight players and there’s no flop or community cards. Instead, the game starts with two cards face down and a third face up (the hole cards and the door card).

You’re dealt seven cards (three face down and four face up) and you choose the best five-card combination. Your opponent/s must show you some of their cards during a hand, with everyone revealing their hand after the last round of betting.

The holder of best five-card hand from the seven dealt wins.

Ace and King with gambling chips

4. Five-card draw

With this poker version, it’s mostly about the cards you’re dealt but with a little room for strategy too! The goal is simple: to make the best five-card hand.

To start, everyone is dealt five cards and the first round of betting takes place. Place your bet, then you can exchange up to three cards and move on to the next round of betting. After this, the player with the best hand wins.

It’s straightforward, but players often look to gauge their opponents in this game and see if they can find an advantage. For example, the number of cards your opponent chooses to draw after the first round of betting could be an indicator to their hand.

Or they could be bluffing in the hope that you will fold – all in the game!

5. High Low Chicago

High Low Chicago tweaks the formula on Seven-card Stud so the game can be about the highest or the lowest hand.

There can also be two winners who split the pot. The player with the highest or lowest spade in the hole (face down) wins half the pot. Whoever has the best hand after this gets the rest of the pot.

The only exception to this is if one player has the best spade in the hole combined with the best hand – then they walk away with the lot.

Each player starts with one card face up. Whoever has the lowest face-up card gets things underway with a bring-in-bet (usually agreed before the game starts). Bets are then placed and each player can call, raise or fold.

Skrill for Poker

At Skrill, we let you deposit and withdraw instantly so you stay on top of your bankroll when betting online. Easily move funds between online poker rooms or withdraw them to your bank account.

Skrill digital wallet also lets you take advantage of exclusive poker sign-up offers to maximise your pot.

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