Online Poker Games - The Idiots Guide

Ready for the challenge of taking on the strategy driven Poker games at online Poker rooms? To get you started, this Idiots Guide provides a list of the most common types of Poker games available online, and an overview of what’s involved and the skill level required to play.

Popular Types of Online Poker Games

• Texas Holdem – whether you’ve played Poker in the past, or you’re new to the Poker world, you’ve probably heard the name of this popular Poker game mentioned. Texas Holdem is probably the most popular Poker game found at online casinos, because it’s fast to play and the rules are relatively simple – so if you’re new to Poker, this might be a good game for you to start with.

With Texas Holdem, there are only 4 betting rounds per game, which can be played with a minimum of 2 players and a maximum of 10. Each player at a Texas Holdem Poker table receives 2 cards face down (called ‘Hole’ cards), and 5 community cards are dealt face up for all players to use to form their hand. The player with the highest 5-card Poker hand wins the pot!

Want to find out more? See our Texas Holdem Strategy and articles to get you ready to take on the best!

• Omaha – Omaha is another version of Holdem which is growing in popularity at online Poker sites. With Omaha, players are dealt 4 cards face down (instead of 2 in Texas Hold ‘Em), and in the basic game – which is also called Omaha Hi – the goal is to have the highest 5-card Poker hand.

A second version of Omaha, called Omaha Hi/Low uses the same game structure, but in this version, players have the opportunity to win by making both the highest AND the lowest 5-card Poker hand. Omaha Hi is a simple game, great for beginners, but Omaha Hi/Low may take a bit more strategy and recognition when making high and low hands.

We've a Omaha Poker Strategy available to help all potential Omaha Poker players improve their game.

• Seven Card Stud – Seven Card Stud is a game that can be played with between 2 and 8 people. In this Poker game, players have to make an initial ante (a blind bet before they have received their cards) and then bet on hands during 5 subsequent betting rounds. Seven Card Stud is a game that requires additional strategy and recognition of high Poker hands, because each player is dealt 3 cards face down, plus 4 that other players are able to see. From the seven cards dealt, players must make the highest Poker hand possible using 5 cards.

With Seven Card Stud Hi/Low, players can also opt to make the lowest Poker hand instead of the highest.

We've a full Seven Card Stud Strategy guide available if this is the game you want to play.

• Razz – this version of Poker follows essentially the same rules and format of Seven Card Stud, but the object with this game is always to make the lowest Poker hand possible in order to win.

• Five Card Draw – this version of Poker requires more strategy than the others, because players have the opportunity to discard and pick up new cards during the first betting round. Five card draw requires an initial ante, followed by 5 betting rounds and can be played with 2 to 8 players. In Five Card Draw, players are dealt 5 cards face down, and must make the highest Poker hand.

• Mixed Poker Games – mixed Poker games can’t be found at all online Poker rooms, but they add a little bit more interest and require additional skill, because as the name says, they combine multiple Poker games into one; usually switching Poker rules between hands.

The mixed game, HORSE Poker, is probably the most popular version and combines Texas Holdem, Omaha Hi/Low, Razz Poker, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud Hi/Low.

With Mixed games, like HORSE poker the number of the letters in the acronym of the name indicates the number of games that are combined. HA Poker, and HOSE Poker are other common variations, but players should master the basic rules of each of the individual games before taking on the challenge of Mixed Poker!

Check out our online poker pages for all the latest info and some great guides on where to play and how to play better poker.