Types of Poker Games to Play Online: Which One Suits You Best?

Poker can be an engaging and rewarding game for those with the right skills. This means having the ability to read a person and knowing how to bluff. Above all, you must maintain composure.

With a forecasted USD 346 billion market in 2030, online poker in India is growing fast.

Though poker has many variations from Texas Hold’em to Chinese Poker, some types of poker are more popular online.

Popular Poker Variations 

When it comes to poker, we hear some very popular names. This includes:

Texas Hold’em

In this game of skill, all you have to do to win is make the best 5-card match using:

• Hole cards: the cards in your hand 
• Community cards: those on the table 

If you have a bad hand, and are still playing to win, try bluffing your opponents to fold.

Omaha Poker

With the basics being the same as Texas Hold’em, this is played with four hole cards instead of just two. So you have a better chance of evening out the odds. Also, you cannot just rely on the community cards since it is mandatory to use at least two of your hold cards.

Seven Card Stud

Players are dealt seven cards instead of two or five. At first, two cards are dealt face down. One is dealt face up. And then the cards are dealt in rotation in successive rounds until showdown. With a lot of stress on bluffing, the one with the best 5 card hand wins the pot.

5 Card draw

Initially five cards are dealt face down. Players then have the option to drop up to three cards and get new ones. After the last round, players will reveal their hands. The one with the best hand wins.

Chinese Poker

Two to four players play Chinese Poker. This beginner-friendly game is based on poker hand rankings. Cards are divided into three hands, with a three-card front hand, a five-card middle hand, and a five-card back hand.

Choosing among the fan favourites

Pick the game that you love based on your skill level and liking. The three most popular types of poker variants for online matches are:

No Limit Texas Hold’em

The most popular and classic variant, Texas Hold’em combines skills with strategy to form the best possible hand with the cards dealt. 

The objective: either make the best hand or get the others to fold via bluffing. 

Texas Hold’em is recognised as a game of skill since players must strategize well, manage their chips, and understand the psychology of the opponents. 

The basics

Termed as hole cards and placed facing down, two cards are given by the dealer to each player. Then five community cards are dealt over three rounds. Three of these are the Flop, one is the Turn and the last one is the River. Between each round, the community cards are revealed.

To make the best five-card hand, players may go for just the community cards, the ones in their hand, or a combination of both.

The first two players to the left of the dealer have to post the Blinds (small & big). This starts the hand. Then the other players have to decide whether to call, raise, or fold. In No Limit Texas Hold’em, the minimum opening raise has to be twice the big blind. Or you can choose to go all in.

After the first round of play, the three community cards (Flop) are placed and the steps are repeated. The third round of play is done with the Turn and the final round with the River.

Even if you have a poor hand, you could win by combining this with the community cards or getting your opponents to fold via strategic raising and bluffing.

Skills and strategies needed to win at Texas Hold’em

You cannot win every match. However, keep the below in mind to have a good game of Texas Hold’em poker online:

• Manage your money well
• Learn how to read your opponents
• Don’t get stuck on the cards and fold early if needed
• Mix your strategy so that other players have a hard time gauging you
• Bluff carefully so that other players are not able to detect it
• Be wary after a win instead of being excited since this could lead to a possible subsequent loss

A good hand or a good bluff are the two pillars of winning at poker. However, even if you lose a hand, the above will help you keep your losses at a minimum.

Read for more info: All About No-Limit Texas Hold’em Poker | A23 

Pot Limit Omaha

Although fairly similar to Texas Hold’em, Omaha is played with a pot limit instead of no limits. However, each player in Omaha is dealt four cards instead of two (though they can use just two of these).

The aim is to use exactly two of the hole cards along with the three from the community cards to create the best hand.

Pot Limit Omaha is quickly gaining more popularity over Texas Hold’em since a strong initial hand (pre-flop) will not always lead to a win. This creates a larger pot and a bigger chance of winning big.

The basics

Once the hole cards are dealt, the game starts. Once the blinds are placed, the players have the option to either raise, call, or fold. Once the round is done, the three Flop cards are placed face up and the round is repeated. These are followed by the Turn and the River. 

Once the game is on, players can fold at any stage due to a weak hand. After the River card is placed, the Showdown happens and the hands are revealed. In the event that every other player has folded, the winner does not need to reveal their hand.

Wagers in Pot Limit Omaha go only as high as the value of the pot. Also, players are bound to use two of the cards in hand and three from the table. So, if you are thinking of playing the board, you better stick to Texas Hold’em.

Pot Limit Omaha: Skills needed for a win

The key to a win at Pot Limit Omaha is patience and a strong hand since bluffs are less prevalent when compared to Texas Hold’em.

As a player you can try the following:

• Know when to play and when to fold: If you have a bad card that doesn’t connect, you are playing with three cards which limits you.
• Be selective about the hands you play: Avoid the round if you have a bad hand
• Assess your opponents accurately since there are fewer chances of a bluff
• For a profitable game understand the odds, outs, and limits

The biggest misstep made by poker players in Pot Limit Omaha is thinking like Texas Hold’em. With fewer chances of bluffing, a solid hand selection is key to winning Pot Limit Omaha.

Pot Limit Omaha 5 Card

The rules and tips for Pot Limit Omaha 5 Card are the same as those of the 4 card draw match. The only difference is that you have 5 hole cards. This reduces the chances of having a dangler card (a card that doesn’t match). 

Picking the one that suits you best

If you are good with bluffing and reading cues, Texas Hold’em is your go-to game. For people who want to even the odds and play a game that is more reliant on their hands, Pot Limit Omaha is a better choice.

Keep the below in mind when you pick one from the several types of poker variants available:

The Stakes

For recreational matches, all you want is some downtime. Hence, it might be smarter to avoid a high-stakes game that’s tough on your pocket.

Wins in poker are not guaranteed no matter your skill level. For a recreational match, opt for low-stakes matches. Whether you win or lose, you will still have a good match. 

If you are playing as a pro, keep your bankroll and tilt value at the back of your mind. This implies the amount that you have and what you can afford to lose, respectively. While poker matches are thrilling, don’t go all out and lose your chips on a bad bluff.

Your Skills

Since you are playing for cash, know your skill level. Brush your skills on easier matches that have lower stakes before you start playing in competitions. If you want to play in a big pool, then Pot Limit Omaha might be a good option for you.

To Conclude

Poker matches are a fun challenge, even when they are online. While the lack of visual cues in poker online can be tough for those used to a live table, reading the moves of the opponents can tell a lot. For beginners, the best advice is to try their hand at free games to brush up on their skills and learn which format suits them best. Once at the level of pros, online tournaments in the top types of poker like Texas Hold’em is a good challenge.