Poker is one of the most popular table games in the world and this multi-billion dollar industry has grown dramatically with the introduction of online poker. The popularity of poker should come as no surprise, seeing as it has an amazing level of depth and skill, as well as the fact that it’s incredibly entertaining.

Luckily, there are also a bunch of fun poker variations that ensure players don’t get bored of playing the same type of game over and over again. There are heaps of different kinds of poker, but there are a couple that undoubtedly stand out.

Let’s take a look at the four best variations that you can choose from when you play poker online and why each version is so popular with players all over the globe.

Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em is definitely the most popular version of poker around and it’s the best online poker for beginners.

All that a beginner player needs to know is that the aim of the game is to make the best possible five-card hand from their two cards and the five community cards.

Each player is dealt two face-down cards. The two players in the blinds will then post the small and big blinds. The players who go before them will then be able to bet. The blinds can then call, raise, or fold. 

If two or more players are still in the game when all the bets have been made, the dealer will hand out three community cards. The betting continues in the same way as the first round with two more community cards dealt. 

The player with the best hand, or the last player after everyone has folded, is the winner. If there is a tie, then the pot is split.

Texas Hold’em is popular because it is easy to learn, entertaining, and available on almost every poker site and in most casinos.

Seven-card stud

Stud poker differs from Texas Hold’em in that players are dealt both face-up and face-down cards. Players need to make the best five-card hand from a total of seven cards. The traditional hand ranking is used, with a royal flush being the best hand. While this might sound a little difficult, it’s actually super easy to master.

Each player pays into the pot before the game starts. Each player is then dealt three cards – two face-down (known as hole cards) and one face-up (known as the door card). Then there are five rounds of betting and each player can call, raise, or fold.

• The betting continues with each player getting the option to fold, call the bring in, or raise.
• After everyone has taken their turn, a fourth card is dealt face-up to each player, known as the fourth street.
• Betting now begins with the player showing the highest-value hand with their up-cards.
• This continues with face-up cards on fifth street and sixth street.
• On seventh street everyone receives a card face-down.

If there are still players after the final round, then the game goes into a showdown round. The player with the best five-card hand from the available cards wins. 

This is a game that is easy to learn and getting face-up cards makes it a little simpler than Texas Hold’em.

Pot-Limit Omaha

Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is an exciting poker variant that is becoming more popular. It is very similar to Texas Hold’em in that they both start with a three-card flop before the two community cards can be dealt. Players need to make the best five-card hand in both of these games.

Play will continue in the same way as Texas Hold’em with some differences. These are the key differences between the variations:

• In PLO, each player is dealt four hole cards, of which they must use two, and three of the community cards to make their best five-card hand.
• This is a limit game which means players can only bet equal to what is in the pot when it’s their turn. So if there is $200 in the pot, then a player can bet a max of $200. The next player can bet a max of $400 and so on.

This version is so popular because the four cards enable tons of action in the game. The pot limit can also see some big wins, and it’s similar enough to Hold’em for players to quickly pick the game up.

Five-card draw

This is probably the hardest poker variation when it comes to the decision-making process. This is because players get to draw new cards to replace the ones they’re dealt. However, once you have mastered it, it is very straightforward.

All players are dealt five face-down cards at the beginning of the game. They then have to decide whether to stick with their cards or draw new ones to replace any number of the cards in their hand. Like other versions of poker, the game starts to the left of the dealer and there are blinds to be posted.

After players have taken their new cards, betting will begin and at the end of the round, the best five-card hand wins. If there is a tie, there will be a showdown.

This is a wonderful poker variation because it is different from any of the others and it provides a great opportunity for players to swish things up a bit.

Play online poker with Borgata

These are just a few of the most popular poker variations out there. At Borgata Online Casino, we have a range of great poker options available to keep players entertained for hours. Whether you’re looking to play any of the games above or try something like live poker, we’ve got you covered. What’s more, we host excellent online poker tournaments that you can enter to test your skills on a number of different poker variations.