
The world of poker can seem intimidating, with expert tournaments, professionals wearing sunglasses, and dozens of variants full of rules. But it’s not as terrifying as it might appear. There’s a poker variant for every player, no matter if you’re up for a casual hand or a high-stakes showdown.
Whether you’re trying to build your skills, change up your game night routine, or explore something new, like Double-Deuce, we hope to help you navigate the vast world of poker. In this guide, we explore some of the most popular types of online poker, breaking down how each works and which might be right for you. Discover your favorite variant and start playing free online poker in Pogo!
Popular poker versions: 5 classic online options
Double-deuce poker
Double-Deuce Poker is a variant where all 2s (deuces) are wild, meaning they can represent any card to create the best possible hand. This mechanic creates more frequent high-ranking hands, making each round unpredictable.
- Number of Hole Cards: 5
- Community Cards: None
- Gameplay Format: Draw
- Goal: Best five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: All twos are wild
- Everyday Play Style: Casual, fast-paced, beginner-friendly
Texas Hold ’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker variant globally. Players receive two hole cards, and five community cards are dealt in three stages (the flop, turn, and river). The best five-card hand wins, combining hole and community cards.
- Number of Hole Cards: 2
- Community Cards: 5
- Gameplay Format: Community
- Goal: Best five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: Most popular poker variant worldwide
- Everyday Play Style: Competitive, tactical, widely played
Omaha
Omaha is similar to Texas Hold’em, but each player receives four hole cards. You must use exactly two of your hole cards and three community cards to form your hand. This rule creates more complex and action-heavy hands.
- Number of Hole Cards: 4
- Community Cards: 5
- Gameplay Format: Community
- Goal: Best five-card hand using two hole + three community cards
- Unique Feature: Higher hand values due to four hole cards
- Everyday Play Style: Aggressive, experienced players
Seven-card stud
In Seven-Card Stud, players receive a combination of face-up and face-down cards over five betting rounds. No community cards are used, and each player forms their best five-card hand from the seven dealt.
- Number of Hole Cards: 7 (mix of face-up and face-down)
- Community Cards: None
- Gameplay Format: Stud
- Goal: Best five-card poker hand from seven cards
- Unique Feature: Memory-based, with visible opponent cards
- Everyday Play Style: Methodical, analytical
Razz
Razz is a lowball version of Seven-Card Stud. The goal is to make the lowest possible hand, with straights and flushes not counting against you. Aces are consistently low, and the best hand is A-2-3-4-5.
- Number of Hole Cards: 7
- Community Cards: None
- Gameplay Format: Stud
- Goal: Lowest five-card hand
- Unique Feature: Inverted hand ranking
- Standard Play Style: Strategic, for fans of niche variants
Five-Card Draw
In this poker variant, each player is dealt five private cards. After one draw round, they can discard and replace cards to improve their hand. It’s one of the simplest and most beginner-friendly forms of poker.
- Number of Hole Cards: 5
- Community Cards: None
- Gameplay Format: Draw
- Goal: Best five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: Chance to replace cards
- Everyday Play Style: Quick, casual, learning-friendly
Rare variants of poker: 6 crazy options to try
Fast-fold poker
Fast-Fold Poker instantly moves players to a new hand as soon as they fold. It’s perfect for high-volume play and minimizes downtime. Most often used in Texas Hold’em format.
- Number of Hole Cards: 2
- Community Cards: 5
- Gameplay Format: Community / Tournament
- Goal: Make the best five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: Auto re-deal after fold
- Everyday Play Style: High-speed, competitive
Jackpot sit & go
Jackpot Sit & Go adds a lottery-style twist to standard three-player Sit & Go tournaments. A random prize pool multiplier is revealed before the game starts, ranging from 2x to 1,000x.
- Number of Hole Cards: 2
- Community Cards: 5
- Gameplay Format: Tournament
- Goal: Win tournament, win jackpot
- Unique Feature: Random jackpot prize pool
- Common Play Style: Short, high-risk/high-reward
H.O.R.S.E.
H.O.R.S.E. rotates five poker formats: Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Stud Eight or Better. It’s used in high-level tournaments to test all-around poker skills.
- Number of Hole Cards: Varies by format
- Community Cards: Varies
- Gameplay Format: Mixed
- Goal: Master multiple formats
- Unique Feature: The Game rotates every few hands
- Everyday Play Style: Expert-level, competitive
2-7 Triple Draw
This draw poker game aims to make the lowest possible hand without straights or flushes. In this game, 2-3-4-5-7 is best possible combo. Players draw up to three times, making it a pure draw-lowball format.
- Number of Hole Cards: 5
- Community Cards: None
- Gameplay Format: Draw
- Goal: Lowest five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: Three draw rounds
- Everyday Play Style: Tactical, slow-paced
Chinese Poker
In Chinese Poker, each player is dealt 13 cards and must organize them into three poker hands: two five-card hands and one three-card hand. Scoring is based on comparing each of these sets against your opponent’s.
- Number of Hole Cards: 13
- Community Cards: None
- Gameplay Format: Set-based
- Goal: Win two of three hands
- Unique Feature: Three-hand layout, no betting
- Everyday Play Style: Math-heavy, with analytical elements, can be both casual or serious
Pineapple
Pineapple is a Texas Hold’em variation where players receive three hole cards and discard one after the flop. This increases starting hand combinations and creates more action.
- Number of Hole Cards: 3 (1 discarded after flop)
- Community Cards: 5
- Gameplay Format: Community
- Goal: Best five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: One discard post-flop
- Everyday Play Style: Casual, with high variance
Crazy Pineapple
Crazy Pineapple is a twist on Pineapple where the third hole card is discarded after the turn (instead of after the flop), giving players more information before making their discard choice.
- Number of Hole Cards: 3 (1 discarded after turn)
- Community Cards: 5
- Gameplay Format: Community
- Goal: Best five-card poker hand
- Unique Feature: Later discard decision
- Common Play Style: Strategic, action-heavy
Types of online poker games: know the differences
Variant | Number of Hole Cards | Community Cards | Gameplay Format | Goal | Unique Features | Common Play Style |
Double-deuce Poker | Varies (usually 2) | Usually, no community cards | Draw Poker | Best 5-card hand using at least one 2 | Twos (deuces) are wild cards | Casual and home games |
Texas Hold’em | 2 | 5 | Community card poker | Best 5-card hand from hole + board | Most popular poker variant worldwide | Cash games, tournaments |
Omaha | 4 | 5 | Community card poker | Best 5-card hand using exactly 2 hole + 3 board | More hand combinations, higher variance | Tournaments, cash games |
Seven-Card Stud | 7 (3 face down, 4 face up) | None | Stud poker (no community) | Best 5-card hand from 7 cards | Memory-based gameplay | Classic, more strategic |
Razz | 7 (3 down, 4 up) | None | Lowball stud variant | The lowest 5-card hand wins | Ace-to-five low; straights and flushes don’t count | Mixed games, lowball format |
Five-Card Draw | 5 | None | Draw Poker | Form the best 5-card hand after one draw | Simple rules: one draw to swap up to 5 cards; high-hand ranking | Casual, beginner-friendly, quick |
Pineapple | 3 | 5 | Community card poker | Best 5-card hand after discarding 1 hole card | Players discard one hole card after the flop | Casual, some tournaments |
Crazy Pineapple | 3 | 5 | Community card poker | Best 5-card hand after discarding 1 hole card | Discard after the betting round post-flop | Casual and online play |
Fast-Fold Poker | Varies (e.g., Texas Hold’em) | Varies | Fast-paced online format | Same as the base game | Players instantly move to a new table after folding | Online cash games, speed poker |
Jackpot Sit & Go | Varies | Varies | Single-table tournament | Win prize pool; jackpots add variance | Random prize pools, often winner-take-all | Online tournaments |
H.O.R.S.E. | Varies | Varies | Rotation of multiple poker types | Win across multiple poker variants | Includes games like H.O.R.S.E., rotation of Hold’em, Stud, Razz, etc. | Advanced players, high skill |
2-7 Triple Draw | 5 | None | Lowball Draw | From the lowest possible 5-card hand (2-7 offsuit best, no straights/flushes) | Three draw rounds; lowest hand wins; aces high | Strategic, patient, bluff-heavy |
Chinese Poker | 13 | None | Point-based | Arrange 13 cards into three hands (back: 5, middle: 5, front: 3) to beat opponents’ hands | No betting; hands compared directly; royalty points for sets | Analytical, social, quick |
How to choose the best poker variant for you
Consider your skill level
Beginner players should start with simpler games. Options like Five-Card Draw or Texas Hold’em have fewer rules and are easier to read. Intermediate and advanced players might enjoy the added complexity of Omaha, Stud, or Pineapple.
Match your play style
Choose a format that aligns with how you like to think, bet, and bluff. If you prefer fast, aggressive play, consider Turbo or Sit & Go tournaments. More methodical players may enjoy games with slower betting rounds, such as Seven-Card Stud or Razz.
Factor in the time commitment
Some games, such as Sit & Go or Fast-Fold, are designed for quick sessions, while formats like H.O.R.S.E. and Stud require more time and attention.
Explore social vs. solo
Some poker games, especially those played in online rooms, are more social and often incorporate chat or team-style elements. Others, such as heads-up or single-player draw games, are better suited for solo practice.
Mix variants
Once you’re comfortable with one format, try rotating between different types of poker. Mixing things up keeps your skills sharp and helps you understand the common elements between variants.
Try free Games First
Before committing money, try out free poker online. These options let you explore rules, pacing, and strategies without financial pressure.
Tips for Mastering Poker Variants
Start simple
Begin with easy formats like Five-Card Draw or Texas Hold’em, where rules and betting structures are more intuitive. The key is mastering the basics before moving into advanced formats.
Learn rules
Each variant has different rules, particularly in terms of betting, hand rankings, and the use of community cards. Immerse yourself in the game by reading official guides, watching tutorials, or observing live games.
Practice online
It’s no secret that regular play helps reinforce what you learn. Use online platforms that offer free play options to build experience across multiple formats.
Mix variants
Rotating games keeps your skills fresh and helps you develop better strategies. For example, alternating between Hold’em and Razz sharpens both your hand reading and betting tactics.
Watch pros
Follow professional players on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. Observing their strategies, timing, and decision-making helps improve your play.
Play non-cash variations
Not every game has to be about winning money. Non-cash games are a great place to experiment with riskier strategies, try new formats, or practice under less pressure.
Play double-deuce poker online at Pogo!
Double-Deuce Poker puts a unique spin on the classic five-card draw poker game by making all 2s wild. This means more exciting hands and bold strategies! It’s perfect for players who love quick, high-action games with a fun twist. Play Double-Deuce Poker for free or join Club Pogo to earn badges and enjoy an ad-free experience.
FAQ
What are the popular variants of poker?
Popular variants of poker include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Five-Card Draw, and Razz. Each offers a different blend of strategy, speed, and complexity. These games are widely available both online and in live settings.
What is the most complicated poker variant?
Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo are the most complex poker variants. They require players to split pots and consider both high and low hands. Formats like these demand advanced hand-reading skills and experience
What is the easiest variation of poker?
Double-Deuce and Five-Card Draw are some of the easiest variations of poker for beginners. They feature simple core game mechanics, allowing new players to quickly learn the basics without the complex layered strategies of more advanced formats.
What type of poker is best?
Texas Hold’em is widely regarded as the best poker variant due to its balance of simplicity and strategic depth. It’s ideal for players of all levels and is the most played version globally.
