10 Best Poker Variants To Play Online
The world of poker is incredibly vast, featuring dozens of exciting variations that further contribute to its popularity. In fact, it’d take us ages to list all types of poker available at poker casinos. Here are the top 10 poker variations that you can play online – with this, you can put together a poker strategy:
1. Texas Hold’Em
This variation of poker is what most people associate with traditional poker. Although it’s simple to learn, it takes years to master. The game starts with players being given two cards by the dealer. The first two players, after the dealer, must place a forced bet, known as the blinds.
After placing the initial bets, the dealer starts by dealing cards to the table across various rounds. The goal is to remain the last player, either by outbetting your opponents or having a better hand.
2. Omaha
Omaha Poker is a cult classic among high-rollers. It has a more strategic side to it, as players are given four cards instead of two. However, they can only use two of their cards to create a five-card combination with the cards placed on the table.
3. 7-Card Stud
Unlike most types of poker, 7-Card Stud doesn’t have community cards. In this game, every player is given seven cards over several betting rounds:
- 1st round – Two cards face down, and one card face up
- 2nd round – Three cards face up, and one card face down
- Showdown – Players choose five out of seven cards for their hand
4. 5-Card Draw
As the name implies, this game features a drawing mechanic that allows players to swap their cards. The game starts with players receiving five cards face down. Then, a betting round ensues. In the second round, players can choose which cards they’d like to swap for new ones.
5. 3-Card Poker
In this poker variant, you’ll be playing against the dealer. The game starts with players placing one of two bets – ante or pair plus. The former is a forced bet to enter the game, while the latter involves betting you’ll have at least a pair.
The dealer starts by giving each player three cards. If you’d like to stay in the game, you’ll have to pay an additional bet. All bets are returned if the dealer’s cards are under Jack-high.
6. Caribbean Stud Poker
Like 3-Card Poker, this variation is played against the dealer. As with other poker games, Caribbean Stud Poker also has ante bet players must place before receiving their cards.
After all bets are placed, players are dealt five cards face down. The dealer receives five cards, one of which is face up. Players can only check their last cards and must pay an ante to stay in the game. The dealer qualifies by having at least Ace-King.
7. Ultimate Texas Hold’Em
This is one of the most complex poker variations. This is because it features many types of wagers, including antes, blinds, trips, and play bets. Antes and blinds are placed before the round begins, while trips and play bets are placed during the game.
The game is played with a 52-card deck, with players being given two cards each. The five community cards are revealed across two rounds. To qualify, the dealer must have at least a matched pair.
8. Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is played with 52 cards and a joker. Each player receives seven cards, from which they must create two hands – a five-card combination and a two-card hand. The five-card hand must have a higher value. The joker card can complete a straight or a flush.
9. Casino Hold’Em
Casino Hold’Em is played against the house. This means players must pay an ante to enter the round. Then, each player receives two cards face up. The dealer will also give himself two cards, albeit face down.
Then, three cards are added to the table. You can decide if you’d like to place a wager to stay in the game, which should be 2x the ante. The dealer places two more community cards on the table in the next round. To qualify, the dealer must have a pair of fours or higher.
10. Chinese Poker
Chinese Poker is a simple yet fun game. It starts with a 52-card deck divided into four 13-card hands. From these, each player must build three cards – two with five cards and one with three.
Then, each hand is placed in a different tier – top, middle, and bottom. The three-card hand is for the top tier and should be the weakest hand. The second-highest combination is placed in the middle row, and the best hand is placed at the bottom. After all the cards are placed, players compare their scores.
Which Poker Variant Suits You?
Despite their popularity, not everyone enjoys the same poker variations. For this reason, finding a variant that suits your gameplay style is important. Luckily, we divided them into four categories – lowest house edge, highest payouts, for beginners, and experienced players.
Poker variants with the lowest house edge
| Poker Variant | House Edge |
|---|---|
| 3-Card Poker | 3.37% to 7.28% |
| Caribbean Stud Poker | 5.22% |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’Em | 2.12% |
| Pai Gow Poker | 1.46% |
Poker variants that payout the most
There are three types of payouts to consider – the highest amount you can win, the winning potential (number of times your bet), and the bets being placed. Check the types of poker with the best payouts:
- Ultimate Texas Hold’Em
This poker variant has bets that pay up to 500x your stake. It has the largest winning potential.
- Texas Hold’Em
Texas Hold’Em is the game with the most professionals. The stakes are higher, with tournaments featuring prizes worth millions.
- Omaha
Omaha is a popular game among high-rollers. For this reason, it can have the largest bets of all poker games.
Poker variants if you’re new to casino
If you’re a beginner, consider playing simple poker variations. Here are a few examples to try:
- 5-Card Draw
5-Card Draw is one of the easiest games to learn. It’s helpful to understand the basic concepts and hand rankings of poker.
- Texas Hold’Em
Knowing how to play Texas Hold’Em Poker opens a world of opportunities, making it easier to get started with other variations.
Poker variants to try if you’re a pro
Professional players have a better understanding of the game. If that’s your case, we recommend playing complex types of poker:
- 7-Card Stud
The face-up and face-down cards of 7-Card Stud add a lot of depth to the game. You’ll have to strategize to figure this one out.
- Ultimate Texas Hold’Em
Ultimate Texas Hold’Em has a wide variety of bets available, making it one of the most complex types of poker games.
Poker variants you should avoid
Although poker is fun, some variations have a higher house edge. This can affect your winnings in the long run. Here are the poker variations you should avoid:
- Caribbean Stud Poker
The house edge for Caribbean Stud Poker is 5.22%, one of the highest of all poker variations.
- 3-Card Poker
Depending on your bets, the house edge for 3-Card Poker can be as high as 7.28%.
Try The Best Poker Variants Available To UAE Players
Poker is probably the most diverse card game in terms of variations. iGaming developers are constantly working on new ways to play this exciting game. However, you should always take your time to understand the ins and outs of new types of poker. After knowing what are the best poker variations to play and learning the poker rules, it’s time to choose one of the best online casinos in the UAE to get started.
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