
The game of poker has evolved in more ways than one. Since the early days, numerous variations have appeared all over the world. It’s not only the different types of poker that have changed but the way we play it too. In fact, with over 50 years of the World Series of Poker, it’s now regarded as a sport. From online poker to poker-themed slots and casinos, it has become accessible to everybody worldwide.
Several historical moments have contributed to the evolution of poker games. For instance, the beginning of poker included 5-card draw and then moved towards 7-card stud and 5-card stud in World War II. In 1964 Texas Hold’em was introduced to Las Vegas casinos and in the early 70s we saw the introduction of the World Series of Poker. Today, online poker tournaments and online cash games have become the main focal point of poker and are where most people play.
Join us as we list and go through the rules of the most popular online poker variants.
The most popular poker variations

Although 52-cards are used in every game, the rules are slightly different between variations. For example, a flush in a Texas Hold’em poker game may not hold the same weight in a game of 7-card stud. So knowing the rules and strategies and understanding the key differences of each poker game is crucial for success.
From most to least popular, the list below analyzes the different types of poker games that can be played online.
Texas Hold’em
The poster game of poker, Texas Hold’em, is played in the most high-profile tournaments in the world, including the World Series of Poker. Even James Bond plays Texas Hold’em and it’s become the favorite type of poker to play online.
With it being easy to learn and the most popular type of poker in the world, it is a great place to start your poker journey. After you get the gist of the rules and how to deal in a Texas Hold’em poker game, you can experiment with other types of poker. A good way to start is by playing online poker tournaments with friends so you can get guidance and feedback during and after each hand.
But first, it’s about understanding the basics. Each player will be dealt two cards; the left of the dealer is the small blind (wagers half the minimum bet) and will start the betting, the player on their left bets second and is the big blind (wagers the minimum bet). In each round of betting, you have the option to check, bet or fold. You can raise as much as you want, but the game will only transition to the next round once all players have put in the same amount.
There are four betting rounds in a round of Texas Hold’em poker:
1. Pre-flop: Each player is dealt two cards and you bet in to join the round.
2. The flop: The dealer places down three cards, face up. The next round of betting commences.
3. The turn: This time the dealer only places down one card. Betting commences.
4. The river: This is the last card to be placed. After the round of betting, players show their cards.
The aim of the game is to make the best five-card poker hand out of the seven cards available. This means it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different hands of Texas Hold’em.
Omaha
So, how do you play Omaha? Rather than receiving two cards, you receive four. However, you can only use two of the cards you’re dealt. Being dealt four cards means there is a lot of action and strong hands consistently throughout the game.
Apart from the number of cards dealt, the game is very similar to a Texas Hold’em poker game. It includes five community cards from the dealer as well as a flop, turn and river round. Betting takes place in the same order too.
7-card stud
As previously mentioned, this game was very popular during World War II. Unlike the other games, 7-card stud doesn’t include flops or community cards. Rather, the dealer places three cards – two face down and one up. You’re then dealt seven cards, with three facing down and four up. The aim of the game is to choose the best five-card combination.
Chinese poker
As playing games with a live dealer at an online casino goes, Chinese poker is one of the most difficult to learn. However, it can also be the most fun.
Firstly, each player is dealt 13 cards (meaning it allows only four players.) With the cards, you must then arrange each into three different poker hands. It’s necessary to note that the way you hold your cards is important.
You must hold them in three rows. The top row is made of three cards and is your lowest-ranking poker hand. The middle includes five cards and should be your second strongest, and the bottom row is your strongest hand, made up of another lot of five cards.
At the end of the round, to win, each player scores their hand against the opponent’s corresponding row. You get a point for each round you win. The player with the most points wins the round.
Poker lingo

When you play poker online, it’s important to know the various terms used to get a full understanding of the game. Here are some of the most frequently used.
- Bluff: When a player is holding a hand that they do not think will win but continues to play aggressively and give the impression of having a strong hand.
- Ante: The start of a round requires each player to put in money to continue playing the round. The minimum amount of money you need is called the ante.
- Call: This is the process of matching the amount of an opponent’s bet.
- Check: If no one has placed a bet in the round, players have the option to check. This means you can stay in the round without betting. If the whole table checks, it moves on to the next round.
- Fold: This is when you choose not to continue betting and leave the round.
- Pot: The amount of money in the middle of the table during a round.
- Raise: When a player increases the amount put down rather than an opponent’s original bet.
Play poker on Borgata Online
Borgata Online hosts an array of online poker tournaments in a number of variations and buy-in amounts that can be played anytime, anywhere. So register today, stay up to date with our poker tournament tips and test your skills.