If you’ve ever played poker with your friends, visited a casino, or seen people play online poker, you might have noticed that some poker games are different from others. There are three overarching types of poker games, each with multiple variants that have slightly different twists on the rules of the game.

In this blog, you’ll learn about draw and stud poker, how they work, and the similarities and differences between the two.

The Three Types of Poker Games

There are three main classifications of poker games that all variants fall under. These are:

• Community poker games.
• Draw poker games.
• Stud poker games.

The most popular variants are typically community poker games, but many players also enjoy playing draw poker and stud poker as well. 

There are many differences between these poker games, but also some common features. Here’s what you need to know about draw and stud poker and the differences and similarities between the two.

What Is Draw Poker?

Draw poker is a type of poker game where players get to choose cards to discard, and then draw new cards from the deck to replace the cards they’ve discarded to make a stronger hand. The player with the strongest five-card combination wins the game.

Some of the most popular draw poker games include:

• Badugi.
• California lowball.
• Kansas City lowball.
• Five-card draw.
• Seven-card draw.

How To Play Draw Poker

There are many versions of draw poker, but the most popular by far is five-card draw. This is considered the classic version of the game and was once more popular than the current king of poker, Texas hold’em. Despite no longer being the most-played version of poker across the world, it’s still the most popular poker draw game. This is why you’ll be learning how to play five-card draw here. 

Before diving into the action, it’s important to know that this version of poker uses the standard hand ranking system, with a high card being the weakest hand and a royal flush being the strongest hand. You’ll also need a standard 52-card deck.

This version of poker can use either ante or blind bets, depending on the preference of the players or the game host. If an ante betting system is used, players will need to decide who opens the action. This can be done by having players randomly draw cards from the deck before the game begins, with the highest or lowest value card being the first player to go. If the blind betting system is used, the player to the left of the big blind starts things off. 

Once ante or blind bets are made, each player receives five face-down (hole) cards. The action moves around the table in a clockwise direction, with each player deciding to call, raise, or fold. The remaining players then take turns, again in a clockwise direction, deciding whether they want to discard and draw new cards from the deck. If a player is happy with their current hand and doesn’t wish to change it, they can say they “stand pat” to keep their current hand of cards.

After each player has had an opportunity to discard and get new cards, a final round of betting occurs, with players deciding once again to call, raise, or fold. The remaining players then reveal their cards, and the player with the strongest combination of five cards wins.

What Is Stud Poker?

Stud poker is a poker game in which players try to build a winning five-card hand with a combination of face-up and hole cards. 

Some of the most popular stud poker games include:

• Caribbean stud poker.
• High-low stud.
• Five-card stud.
• Seven-card stud.
• Razz.

How To Play Stud Poker

The rules for each stud poker variant are different, but in order to learn the basic mechanics of stud poker, you’ll be learning the seven-card stud poker rules, the most popular stud poker variant today.

This version of poker also uses the standard hand ranking system, with a high card being the weakest hand and a royal flush being the strongest hand. A standard 52-card deck of cards is used here, too.

The game begins with each player making an ante wager and then being dealt three cards. Two of these are hole cards, and one is face-up. This face-up card is also known as the door card. The player with the lowest value door card must place a minimum bring-in bet to sweeten the pot further. 

The action moves to the left of the bring-in bettor, with players then deciding whether to call, raise, or fold. Once this first round of action is completed, the dealer will deal each remaining player their fourth card face-up. This is known as fourth street. Again, the action continues from the left of the bring-in bettor, following the same sequence of events for the fifth face-up card (fifth street), sixth face-up card (sixth street), and the seventh and final face-up card (the river). 

The remaining players build the strongest five-card hand out of the seven cards they have, with the highest-ranking hand being declared the winner. 

Draw vs. Stud Poker

Here are the highlights of the differences and similarities of stud poker vs. draw poker.

The Key Differences

• In draw poker, your entire hand is hidden, while in stud poker, only some of your hand is hidden, with the rest of your cards visible.
• In draw poker, the action starts with the player to the left of the dealer, with players taking turns to deal, while in stud poker, the action shifts according to each variant’s rules, which is usually who has the highest or lowest value face-up cards at the start of each game.
• In draw poker, you can trade a selection of cards in your hand for new cards, while in stud, you play with the five cards you are dealt.
• In draw poker, players can use either the ante or blind betting system, while stud poker uses the ante betting system.

The Key Similarities

• Both poker games use the same hand-ranking systems.
• Both games use a standard 52-card deck.
• You can play both stud and draw poker online.

Play Your Favorite Poker Games and Other Exciting Casino Games at Borgata Online

If you’re looking for the best place to enjoy exciting online poker games, be sure to visit Borgata Online. This online poker site has thrilling cash games for you to play, with Texas hold’em and pot-limit Omaha variants for you to join seven days a week. For more serious players, there are also competitive poker tournaments available for you to try in multiple formats. From SPINS tournaments to daily competitions to progressive knockout bounty events, there’s no shortage of choice for passionate poker players.

And for poker fans who enjoy other types of gambling, the Borgata Online casino also has an incredible library of other fun and engaging gambling games for you to play. Players can spin the reels of online slots, aim for 21 in blackjack, or join in live dealer roulette games, and so much more. Sports fans can try their luck by betting on their favorite sports teams and athletes from across the globe.

All this and more is waiting for you once you register at Borgata Online.