The Main Classifications of Poker

Four black and gold Ace playing cards surrounded by casino chips.

The word “poker” doesn’t mean a great deal on its own — just a betting game based on a hierarchy of card hand rankings. There are, in fact, three main classifications of poker, each of them with a unique style of play.

Texas Hold’em is the most well-known and popular game among live and online poker players, but stud poker and draw poker also have their adherents. If you want to truly understand poker from the inside out, you need to know them all. Come take a closer look at how they work.

Community Card Poker

Community card poker, also known as “flop” poker, is a widely played poker class that includes popular poker variations like Omaha and Texas Hold’em poker. In these games, players are initially dealt private cards known as hole cards. After a preflop betting round comes the flop, in which a series of community cards is placed on the table. Players then use a combination of their hole cards and community cards to make the best possible hand. Further community cards are revealed on later streets known as the “turn” and the “river.” Finally, there is a showdown between the remaining players. The strategic aspect of community card poker lies in skillfully assessing the shared cards and anticipating your opponents’ moves based on the information available.

Stud Poker

Stud poker, a classic form of poker, features a combination of face-up and face-down cards. Unlike community card poker, players in stud poker receive a mix of visible and hidden cards throughout the hand.

The most famous stud poker variation is the Seven-Card Stud, where players aim to make the best hand out of seven cards dealt to them. Each player receives two initial cards face down and then a further card face up, dealt one at a time in the rotation. There’s a betting round and then each player receives three more face-up cards and one more face-down.

After another betting round, players turn up their hole cards and select five out of their seven cards as their hand, with the strongest hand winning. Stud poker requires keen observation and memory skills as you track the exposed cards to gauge the strength of your opponents’ hands.

Draw Poker

Draw poker is characterized by the players’ ability to discard and replace cards from their hand. Five-Card Draw is a popular variant where players receive a complete hand, then have the option to exchange any number of cards to improve their hand strength.

The skill lies in discerning which cards to discard and predicting the possibilities based on your opponents’ betting patterns. Draw poker emphasizes adaptability and decision-making as you strive to create the strongest hand possible. To learn and practice this skill, look to the hierarchy of hand rankings.

Poker Hand Rankings 101

A magician levitating an Ace of Spades playing card

To get started in any variant of poker, it’s essential to commit the poker hand rankings to memory. Here’s how they stack up, from the strongest to the weakest rank.

Royal Flush: This is a straight flush containing the card royals 10, jack, queen, king and ace, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five cards in sequence from the same suit, for instance, the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of hearts.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank, for instance, four kings.
Full House: Three cards of the same rank (three 7s, for example) and two cards of a different rank (two aces, for example.)
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Straight: Five cards in sequence, but in different suits.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: Two pairs of cards with the same rank.
Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
High Card: When none of the above combinations are formed, the highest card in hand determines the ranking.

Finding Your Perfect Poker Match

So what kind of poker are you going to play? Choosing the right poker variation can make all the difference in your playing experience, depending on your personality, skills and bankroll. If you’re looking for a game where strategy is key, community card games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the way to go. These variations are often available on the best online poker sites. Remember, these games demand a high level of skill to make progress, so be prepared to put in the work if you’re serious.

If you thrive on bluffing and reading other players, stud poker is king. If you’re more into gambling than strategy, old-fashioned draw poker is for you. Looking for more competitive action? There are many poker tournaments you can join featuring community card variations, for the most part. Whatever type or types of poker you ultimately choose, make sure that the stakes are a good fit for your bankroll and never get involved in pots that could harm your financial health.

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