Why Japan is One of the World’s Safest Countries
Mairi McLaren
When you think of poker, two scenarios probably come to mind. You either think of rich folk or spies clad in tuxedos and glittering dresses playing poker while they sip martinis. Or depending on your taste in movies, you may immediately think of smoky back rooms and dodgy characters. But poker isn’t something reserved for the rich and famous (or sketchy) anymore! Anyone can play poker online nowadays with thousands of online casinos just a click away. The catch? There are tons of different types of poker games which can be a real head-scratcher for newbies. This guide will show you some of the most popular types of online poker so you can skip the confusion and jump straight into the fun.
1. Texas Hold’em
No, we’re not talking about Beyonce’s smash hit, but arguably the most popular online poker game. It’s an easy one to learn which makes it great for beginners but it does require some strategy too, which you’ll pick up as you go along. So, how does the game work? You start off with two private cards (called “hole cards”). Five cards are placed face-up in the middle of the table that everyone can use. You try to make the best five-card hand using your cards and the ones in the middle. You can bet, try to fool other players (bluff), and win money!
2. Red Dog
Red Dog is a super simple and fast game – exactly what you want when you’re just starting out with poker. This is a game of luck! All you need to do is bet on how close together two cards will be. You can find Red Dog on most online casinos, including CasinoMeister.
3. Omaha
Do you enjoy Texas Hold’em but want to branch out a bit? Then you may want to give Omaha a try. It’s very similar to Texas Hold’em but you get four cards instead of two. The difference is that you have to use two of your cards and three from the middle to make your hand. This makes Omaha a bit more complicated and exciting than Texas Hold’em.
4. Seven-Card Stud
This is an old-school poker game that was popular long before Texas Hold’em. In fact, it goes way back to the Civil War era! You’re dealt some cards face-up and face-down and have to make the best five-card hand from your pack. There are no cards in the middle of the table, so it becomes very important to pay close attention to what cards other players have and how they’re betting.
5. Five-Card Draw
This is a really simple type of poker that’s great for beginners. You get five cards and can trade in some of them for new ones to try to make a better hand. It may be easy to learn but you still need to think carefully about which cards to keep and which to throw away.
6. Razz
Do you find you always end up with the worst hand? Then Razz may be right up your alley because the aim of the game is just that – having the worst hand! The goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand. Aces are low and straights and flushes don’t count. Who would have thought being bad at poker could actually work in your favor?
How to Pick a Poker Game
- Start easy: Don’t go straight for the big guns if you’ve never played before. That’s a fast way to get turned off the game before you’ve had a chance to explore it. Start with Texas Hold’em or Five-Card Draw and once you get the hang of those you can try harder games like Omaha or Seven-Card Stud.
- Fast or slow?: Do you like games that are fast and exciting? Or do you prefer to take your time and think things through? Red Dog and Five-Card Draw are fast-moving games, while Texas Hold’em and Omaha follow a slower pace.
- Betting: Different poker games have different ways of betting. Try a few to see what you like best.
- Play for free: A lot of websites let you play poker for free so you can practice before you play with real money. Some sites may give you free coins or a welcome bonus to use on selected games.
Why Play Poker Online?
Online poker is a great way to dip your toes into this fun card game. You can play anytime, anywhere and with people from all over the world. Plus, when you get the chance to play poker in the real world, you’ll already have a bit of practice under your belt. Online poker sites also have cool features like ways to track your hands, see statistics, and tutorials on how to play.
Final Takeaway
By now, you’ve probably figured there are many different types of poker you can play online (and in person). Trying out some of the most popular variants can help you learn and build winning strategies that’ll have you playing like a poker pro in a jiffy!
