For those who like to challenge themselves but would also like to learn a new skill, there is no doubt that poker is one of the best games to participate in. The history of poker can be traced back to the 1800s with the aim of the game to win the ‘pot’ which is the sum of all the bets made by all players in one deal. As poker has come a long way since its origins, it is worth exploring some of the poker variations.
Firstly, there is no doubt that Texas hold ‘em is regarded as the most popular variant of poker. Due to its popularity, you can usually find this game played anywhere that poker is offered. It can be even be glimpse on many televised tournaments and in films which has further helped to popularize the game. Not only is the game easy to learn but there are now many ways to better your skill with so many resources dedicated to helping newbies to the game. There are also plenty of ways to practice the game thanks to the creation of online casinos which allow you play the game from the comfort of your own home or on the go. The game starts with two players putting forward forced bets called “blinds”. Then, after 2-hole cards have been dealt to each player, the game begins with the player to the left of the big blind and operates clockwise. During the game, players should either call, raise or fold. Following the initial betting round, 3 cards are dealt onto the table which is known as the flop.
Furthermore, Omaha poker variations are also incredibly popular with poker fans. Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi/Lo, and 5-Card Omaha are three Omaha poker variants. The poker rules in Omaha poker variations follow the same pattern as Texas Hold’em meaning that it is a smooth transition for those poker players who want to try something new. However, the main difference being that the players are dealt four hole cards instead of two. The players must make the best hand by combining two hole cards and three community cards.
Omaha Hi is the most popular variation of Omaha and it is known as the highest bet receiving the entire pot after the end of the round. Omaha Hi/Low is similar to Omaha Hi poker, but differs from the pot division. Although the highest bet is given with the entire pot in Omaha hi, the pot is divided between two parts, in Omaha hi/lo, for the highest and lowest five-card variations, and subsequently, in 5-card Omaha, every participant will receive 5 hole cards. The best hand should be created with two hole cards and 3 community cards.
Another popular poker variant is 7-card stud which bears some resemblance to the five-card draw game apart from the fact that the poker players are all dealt seven cards at the start. Three of these cards will be facing down and the other four will be facing up. The aim of this variant is to create the highest-ranking hand from five of their seven cards with the winning title given to the player who has the highest hand. This is the perfect variant for those who have already played poker as it typically requires more skill than other variants.
Of course, 5-card draw is another great poker variant and simply requires players to create the best hand out of 5 cards. At the beginning of the game, every player is dealt five cards and the action starts. Although the premise of this variant is incredibly straightforward, it is also equally important to focus on the body language of your opponents to read them and assess what type of cards they have. Remember that if you are choosing to play different poker variations, to learn the rules for each so that you can get the best out of the experience. You will also need to learn the relevant terminology associated with the game of poker and each variant such as bluffing so that you will know what to do during the game.
Overall, if you are a fan of the game of poker and want to try something new, testing out a new variation of poker can be an incredibly exciting experience. From Texas Hold’em and Omaha to 7-card stud and 5-card draw, there is no shortage of variants when it comes to poker. As technology continues to develop and we are striving towards updating traditional card games, we could even witness more variants of poker emerging in the future which can satisfy those who are looking to up their game and challenge themselves.
