Fun and Unique Poker Games To Play at Home

close up of an at-home poker game table with friends, there are playing cards, poker chips, a dealer token and player hands on the table

Love casino table games but tired of Texas Hold’em, classic Omaha poker and Five-Card Stud? Shake (or, rather, shuffle) up your poker nights with a list of unique poker games — many of which you’ve probably never heard of before.

Read on to explore a collection of fun and crazy poker games that are perfect for home play. From thrilling twists on traditional poker to captivating variations that will keep you on your toes, this list has you covered. So, gather your chips, put on your poker face and dive in.

Crazy Pineapple Poker

Crazy Pineapple Poker is bound to bring lots of laughs and suspense to the table. It’s a poker variant similar to Texas Hold’em but with a thrilling twist. At the beginning of each hand, players are dealt three hole cards instead of two. The gameplay proceeds just like in Texas Hold’em until the flop. At this point, each player must get rid of one of their hole cards, leaving them with the traditional two hole cards. From here, the game follows the standard Hold’em rules.

Crazy Pineapple Poker introduces an extra layer of strategy because players have an additional card to consider before committing to their hand. This game often leads to more intense and surprising showdowns, making it a favorite among poker fans seeking a fresh challenge. The best part? Crazy Pineapple Poker is also available as a poker online game at many reputable online casinos.

Omaha Hi-Lo

three friends are sitting around a table at home and playing poker with playing cards

Omaha Hi-Lo is an excellent choice for those who enjoy strategic gameplay and split pots. In this variant, each player receives four hole cards instead of two, as in Texas Hold’em. Your goal is to create the best five-card high hand and/or the best five-card low hand (using two hole cards and three community cards.) The pot is then divided equally between the best high hand and the best low hand, with the caveat that the low hand must consist of cards ranked eight or lower.

Omaha Hi-Lo offers an exhilarating dynamic where players must consider both the high and low possibilities. It adds an extra layer of complexity to traditional poker and is guaranteed to ramp up the excitement.

Open-Face Chinese Poker

Probably one of the most unique poker games on this list, Open-Face Chinese Poker combines poker with puzzle-solving and strategic planning. This variant has gained popularity in recent years — and for good reason. You’ll find out why for yourself when you introduce it into your own poker nights.

In Open-Face Chinese Poker, each player is dealt five cards. The goal is to arrange these cards into three separate hands: two five-card hands (top and middle) and one three-card hand (bottom.)

But here’s the catch. Once you place a card, you can’t change its position. The top hand must be the strongest, the middle hand must be weaker than the top hand and the bottom hand must be the weakest of all. This creates a thrilling challenge as you strive to build strong hands while ensuring they follow the correct hierarchy.

The game continues until all players have arranged their hands. Scoring is based on comparing each player’s hands, with points awarded for winning individual hands and bonuses for achieving special combinations such as flushes or royalties.

Irish Poker

a green bowler hat with four leaved clovers on it on a wooden table next to a pile of red and green poker chips and a green background

Irish Poker is a creative blend of Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker. The game starts with each player being dealt four hole cards, just as in Omaha — but the flop and betting rounds occur before players are required to discard two of their hole cards, similar to Texas Hold’em.

This exciting twist adds unpredictability to the game, as players must carefully evaluate their starting hand but also consider the community cards before making their final decision. Irish Poker merges the best of both worlds, providing a challenging and dynamic experience that will keep you engaged from the first deal to the final showdown.

Badugi

Badugi puts your hand-selection skills and bluffing abilities to the test. The rules are quite straightforward — the objective is to create the lowest possible hand with four non-paired cards of different suits. The best possible hand is known as a “Badugi,” comprising one card from each suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades) and no pairs.

The game is played with three drawing rounds, where players can discard and replace cards from their hands to improve their Badugi. The first round involves players getting rid of any unwanted cards, followed by two additional rounds where they can choose to discard one card at a time.

What makes Badugi intriguing is that it’s a triple-draw game, allowing players multiple opportunities to improve their hands and strategically discard cards to confuse their opponents. Bluffing becomes a crucial aspect of the game as players try to represent stronger hands and deceive their opponents into folding.

Which Poker Variant Is for You?

With so many fantastic poker games available, how do you decide which variant is right for your poker night? Try them all.

Of course, you should also consider your preferences and playing style.

If you enjoy high-stakes action and intense gameplay, Crazy Pineapple Poker may be your cup of tea. If you relish strategic decision-making and split pots, Omaha Hi-Lo could be your game of choice. For those who love a mental challenge and enjoy arranging cards creatively, Open-Face Chinese Poker offers a unique experience. And if you crave a hybrid game that combines elements of Texas Hold’em and Omaha, Irish Poker will surely satisfy your appetite. Finally, add Badugi to your list of must-plays if you’re looking for something simple but completely out of the ordinary, as well as the chance to perfect your bluffing skills and poker face.

Play Poker Online Games at Borgata Online

Can’t wait for your poker night to play competitive casino table games? Join the online game casino community at Borgata Online and explore a world of exciting casino games, including plenty of unique poker games. You can also access live dealer online casino games, jackpot slots, online slots, bingo and much more.

Register whenever you’re ready to explore.Looking for poker tips and advice? Delve deeper into the Borgata Online blog. From why slow rolling is a problem to details regarding poker bomb pots, there’s content for poker players of all levels.