Poker Variations: Different Themes, Same Classic Game

poker

There are numerous poker variations and each variety of the traditional game has its own guidelines and strategies. However, a player should understand the basic rules that apply to all types of poker, in order to be comfortable in any game.

Getting Started

The best place to start is by learning how to shuffle and cut cards before they are dealt. This process also involves protecting the bottom of the deck so that a card is not revealed to the players. In live casinos and at Web-based sites, players don’t have to deal, of course. But it’s essential that poker players understand and practice this basic skill.

Rules

No matter which poker game is being played, a few unchangeable rules should be fully understood. These include: rank of hands – this is crucial information; misdeal – examples include when cards are exposed or the wrong number of cards is dealt to a player; stake – the amount of money needed to buy in to a game; betting, raising – this varies, so make sure you understand the guidelines before you start; showing of hands/ showdown – be sure to understand this completely.

Different Games for Different Folks

Texas Hold ‘Em

Among poker variations, this game has become very popular in the past decade, primarily due to the amount of coverage provided on cable television. This is a seven-card game in which each player is dealt two cards, face down. These are called “hole cards.” The dealer then “burns” one card, placing it face down off to the side before dealing three cards face up. This is the “flop” and the cards on the table are used by each player in combination with the hole cards to make a five-card hand. That’s why the cards are often referred to as “community” cards or “the board.”

Two players have forced bets called blinds which are meant to start the betting and help build the pot. These rotate around the table clockwise. The third player in the rotation, next to the big blind or second blind than has the option to call, raise or fold, based on hole cards and the three on the board. Each player gets this option until play moves around to the blinds. The small blind can call, raise or fold, then the big blind has the options before another card is dealt.

The dealer then burns one card and turns over the next card (the turn) giving players four community cards to use with their hole cards. Betting takes place again and the final card is dealt on the table (the river). Players have the betting options and the winning hand is determined. The winner will have the best five-card hand, out of the five community cards and two hole cards.

Omaha

In Hold 'Em and Omaha, the process of dealing cards is the same, except that in Omaha, each player is dealt four hole cards and may use only two of their four hole cards to make a hand. In Hold 'Em, players have two hole cards and use any combination with the community cards.

3-Card Poker

Of all the poker variations, 3-card poker most resembles both a casino “table” game and the classic style of poker. It’s a hybrid and it’s really two games. A player might bet on the “pairplus” or an “ante/play” or, in some cases may bet on both. As the name implies, both options are determined by the best three-card hand.

In PairPlus, hands are paid according to a set value. The dealer has a hand but is not involved in PairPlus. Players don’t have to be concerned with raises or discards. A pair is paid on odds of 1 to 1, for example. Three of a kind is paid 30 to 1, straights – 6 to 1 etc.

Ante and Play is a bit more complex in this casino-style among poker variations. Players bet an amount equal to the ante or fold and lose their ante (as well as any PairPlus bet). A player may raise and then play against the dealer. The dealer only qualifies with a queen high or better. The play and payoffs include: If dealer does not qualify: Ante wins 1 to 1 and the play bet is returned; If the dealer qualifies and player beats the dealer, both play and Ante wins 1 to 1; If the dealer qualifies and the dealer beats player, both Play and Ante loses; If the dealer qualifies and the hands tie, the Ante is a “push.”

Extra bonus paid on the Ante bet include 1 to 1 for a straight, 4 to 1 for three of a kind and 5 to 1 for a straight flush.

7-Card Stud Poker

This variety of poker is one of the true classics of all poker variations. As the name implies, each player will have seven cards when the dealing is finished. The game begins with an ante that is set before play starts. Each player receives two hole cards (face down) and one card face up. A round of betting takes place. Another card is dealt face up, followed by betting. A fifth card is dealt up, followed by betting. The sixth card is dealt face up and betting takes place. The seventh and final card is dealt face down, followed by a round of betting. As with Hold ‘Em and other seven-card games, the players make a five-card hand from their seven cards.

This game is one of the poker variations that still hangs on in a few casinos, but like many other versions 7-card stud has been pushed aside by the popularity of Hold ‘Em. The pace of stud poker is a bit slower than Hold ‘Em but the mystery and bluffing can take place because of the three hidden cards in each player’s hand. Seven-card stud requires a different set of skills. One of the keys to success in this game is the ability to read and remember which cards are already “out” (in another player’s hand). This information is then used to calculate your chances of making a winning hand.

It really doesn’t matter which of the poker variations you choose. All of them provide unique thrills and challenges.

Progressive Jackpots

mega moolah

Quick Poker Tips

"Choose your poker game wisely – there are many poker variations, from the traditional favourite of 7 Card Stud to the current and popular Texas Hold'em and Omaha. Each has different rules and different strategies so if you want to develop a winning approach pick one game to master and ignore the rest until later."

See more poker tips »

Play Poker

Poker Casinos

Poker Articles

BackNext

Sign-up now for our Newsletter

Subscribe by Email

Latest Casino Articles

The Casino Affairs Bible

Snapshot Guide

Casino Links

gamcare