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.