Types of Poker Games

Poker is as American as apple pie. It used to be that a group of friends got together around a cigar filled dining room table and they would play several different types of poker games. The deal would move after each hand and the dealer would call out which game he wanted to play and if someone at the table didn't know how to play it the dealer would explain the rules.

But since the development of the pocket cam and Internet poker Texas Hold 'em has taken over as the predominant form of poker that Americans and international players play most. Below are a few different types of poker games that are still popular today.

Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em is by far the most popular form of poker, both online and at land-based poker rooms. Because players share the board cards, as many as ten can play. Each player is dealt two hole cards, then a round of betting ensues. Three more cards are dealt face-up, known as the flop, the beginning of the community cards. Another round of betting, and then a single card is dealt up, known as the turn. Another betting round, and the final card, known as the river, is dealt. After a round of betting for the showdown, the player remaining with the best five-card hand wins.

Omaha
Omaha is a slightly more complex version of Hold'em. The first difference is that players are dealt four hole cards, instead of two. When composing an Omaha hand, players must use two of their hole cards to combine with three of the the board cards for best hand. The betting rouns remain the same as in Hold'em. Omaha also has its own variation, known as Omaha High-Low. This gives players the chance to make the lowest hand, under the same conditions, as well as the highest hand.

Five Card Stud
Five Card Stud is an old-school poker game, often played by poker aficianados before Hold'em became the game of choice. Players each get a hole card, and an up card that the other players can see. Betting rounds occur between deals, with three more up cards dealt to each player one at a time. After showdown, best hand wins.

Seven Card Stud
Seven card stud is a variant of the five card game. Players still get four up cards one at a time, only in this version two hole cards are dealt at the start to each player. Then, after the up cards are dealt and a betting round is held, another down card is given to each, for a total of four up and three down cards. The best five card hand, as always, wins. High-Low can be played as a spin of Seven Card Stud.

Five Card Draw
Perhaps the oldest poker game, draw gives each player five cards face down. A round of betting is held, then each player has the option to discard as many of his cards as desired. Then he receives replacements for the up to five cards given up. Another round of betting, and then players expose hands, best hand winning.