What Are The Most Popular Poker Games?
People always ask me which game of poker is the best. They also ask where to start. What’s the most fun?
And honestly, I can’t answer these questions. How can you tell what flavor of ice cream is the best if all palates are different? Even if pistachio is my favorite, I will never convince you that it is the best if you tend to like fruity flavors.
The same happens with poker and that’s no wonder since it’s one of the most beloved casino games all over the world and there are many types of poker games. What I can definitely do is give you a small description of the most popular Poker games.
Texas Hold ‘Em
Played in the World Series of Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em is easily the most popular poker game in America today. In Texas Hold ‘Em, players are dealt two “pocket” or “hole cards” then wait for 5 community cards to be revealed.
Betting takes place in four rounds: once after the hole cards are dealt, once after the first three community cards are revealed (referred to as “the flop”), once after the fourth community card is revealed (“the turn”) and lastly after the fifth community card is flipped (“the river”). Players must make their best hands with any combination of 5 cards (their hole cards and the communal).
Omaha
Omaha is another type of Hold ‘Em that can be played by 2-10 players at a time. Like Texas Hold ‘Em, there are four rounds of betting, but unlike that version, each player is dealt four hole cards and the five community cards are immediately revealed. Players must make their best 5-card hands from two of their hole cards and three of the common.
7-Card Stud
In 7-Card Stud, each player is dealt 7 cards, three down and four up. Players must make best possible 5-card hand from their 7.
5-Card Draw
Each player is dealt 5 cards, but on the initial go around, the player may choose to trade in up to 3 of them.
High/Low Chicago
This stud game can be played for the highest hand or the lowest. In High Chicago, the player with the highest spade face-down wins half the pot. In Low Chicago, the player with the lowest spade face-down wins half the pot.
The other half of the pot is won by the player with the best hand. If someone, however, has the best hand and the winning spade (high or low, depending on version), that player will win the entire pot. This game can be added to, and played simultaneously with, many other poker variations.
Follow the Queen
This is a 7-card stud poker game in which the wild card is designated to be the next exposed card after a queen is flipped. If no queens are flipped, there are no wild cards that hand.
What do you think? Did I miss any of your favorites? I invite you to leave me a note so that we can expand on this extraordinary subject: the world of poker.
