Poker is more than a single card game. Across casinos, online rooms, home games, and televised tournaments, players encounter a rich assortment of variants that test memory, mathematics, psychology, and nerve. For new players, the sheer variety can be daunting. For seasoned players, variants unlock fresh strategic challenges and new ways to enjoy the game. This guide unpacks a broad spectrum of poker variants, from the ubiquitous staples to niche formats that deserve your attention. You’ll learn how each variant is played, what makes it distinctive, and the core strategies that tend to yield results. Whether you’re preparing for online micro-stakes, live high rollers, or a friendly weekend round, understanding these variants equips you to adapt quickly and make smarter decisions at the table.

Core variants every poker player should know

Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em is the backbone of modern poker. Each hand begins with two private cards (hole cards) and five community cards that appear in three stages: the flop, turn, and river. Players use a combination of hole cards and board cards to make the best five-card hand. The betting rounds—pre-flop, post-flop, turn, and river—build tension as the pot grows and information accumulates. Key strategic pillars include starting hand selection, position (acting later in the betting rounds), pot control, and hand-reading. In Hold'em, position is often the most valuable asset; small edges accumulate into big wins over time, especially in tournament play where ICM pressure shapes decisions.

Omaha (including Omaha Hi-Lo)

Omaha is similar to Hold'em in its use of five community cards, but players receive four hole cards and must use exactly two of them with three board cards to form a hand. This constraint creates bigger hands and more complex decisions. Omaha Hi-Lo splits the pot between the best high-hand and the best low-hand (when the low hand qualifies, typically with five cards 8 or lower). The most common variant is Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or Better). The sheer number of possible draws and the frequency of strong made hands mean that hand-strength perceptions differ from Hold'em. Position remains crucial, but pot-control and multi-way pot dynamics become even more important because players often hold two premium cards that interact with the board in powerful ways.

Seven-Card Stud

Before the Hold'em era, Seven-Card Stud was the dominant format. In Stud, there are no community cards. Each player receives a mix of face-down and face-up cards across several streets. The public information from the face-up cards allows players to gauge visible outs and estimate opponents’ likely holdings. The betting structure tends to be less volatile than Hold’em because fewer players tend to see flops, and the draw-to-improve nature of Stud concentrates risk-reward calculations around visible tells and memory. Variants include Seven-Card Stud High (traditional) and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, where the pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand, if a qualifying low is present.

Five-Card Draw

Five-Card Draw is one of the simplest poker variants and a common entry point for beginners. Each player is dealt five private cards, and after a first betting round, players may discard and draw new cards to replace them. The goal is still to make the best five-card hand. Because draws occur after the initial betting, information is less revealed mid-hand than in Hold’em or Omaha. Five-Card Draw emphasizes hand-reading, bluffing, and value extraction in more straightforward situations. It’s a great way to understand fundamental concepts of probability and odds without the pressure of complex post-flop decision trees.

Razz

Razz is a form of lowball poker where the objective is to make the lowest possible hand. Straights and flushes do not help—only the five lowest distinct cards count toward the hand’s strength. Players start with seven cards and discard as they pursue the lowest five-card hand. Razz rewards disciplined starting hands, positional awareness, and the ability to interpret opponents’ likely holdings based on betting patterns. It’s a refreshing twist for players who want to explore lowball strategy and test their ability to chase uncommon draw outcomes under pressure.

Badugi

Badugi is a unique draw variant where the goal is to make the lowest hand with four cards of different suits and ranks. A hand like A-2-4-7 of four suits is excellent, while a pair or two cards sharing a suit disqualify the hand from winning. Players go through rounds of drawing and betting, attempting to improve towards a four-card low hand with no matching ranks or suits. Badugi challenges players to reframe hand evaluation, as blockers and the concept of a “clean” hand trump traditional high-card strategies. It’s a terrific way to sharpen logical filtering and risk assessment in a lowball context.

Mixed games and formats that spice up the lineup

8-Game Mix

8-Game Mix is a long-run test of versatility. In this format, the dealer rotates through variety: Hold’em, Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven-Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, Razz, Badugi, and a couple of others depending on the house rules. Players must adapt quickly as the game type shifts, requiring a broad strategic toolkit and the willingness to switch gears between aggressive and conservative play styles. For players who crave constant mental stimulation and want to prevent specialization from becoming a weakness, 8-Game Mix is an excellent developmental path.

H.O.R.S.E. and Other High-Profile Mixed Formats

HORSE is a famous mixed-game format that alternates through Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Eight-or-Better Stud. The sequence is designed to test a player’s proficiency across multiple variants and their ability to spot table dynamics that signal a favorable or unfavorable swing. Mastery of HORSE requires not just knowledge of each individual game, but the ability to adjust bet sizing, position, and bluff equity as the table moves from one variant to the next. Mixed formats are popular in both live tournaments and online marquee events because they reward adaptability and real-time adjustment over deep specialization.

Other notable variants that broaden the landscape

Two-Card, Draw, and Lowball Variants

There are numerous niche formats that emphasize draw mechanics or lowball hand rankings. Variants like 2-7 Lowball, Deuces Wild, and Triple Draw Lowball provide distinct strategic challenges: patience in drawing, memory of discarded outs, and the ability to leverage misperceptions about hand strength in multi-street betting. While these games are less common in mainstream rooms, they appear in specialty rooms, private games, and festival side events. If you enjoy math-heavy decision-making and unorthodox hand rankings, exploring these formats can sharpen your overall poker acumen.

Specialty Variants and Home-Game Twists

Home games and regional circuits often introduce bespoke twists—modified hand rankings, split pots with kill pots, or rapid-fire betting rounds. While not standardized, these games can be a lot of fun and a useful way to practice core skills in a more relaxed setting. The key is to approach them with curiosity, a clear understanding of the local rules, and a readiness to adapt strategic principles like position, pot odds, and bluff timing to the specific variant in play.

Strategic takeaways: how to approach variants effectively

While each poker variant has its own rules, several strategic pillars remain universal. A thoughtful player will tailor these principles to the rules of each game to maximize long-term profitability:

• Position and pot control: In most variants, acting last provides a decision advantage. Use position to manage pot sizes and extract value from marginal hands.
• Starting hand selection: Variants with more possible draws (Omaha) or more complex hand interactions (Stud, Badugi) reward tighter, smarter starting hand choices. Avoid over-valuing marginal holdings in the early going.
• Implied odds and ICM: Consider future opportunities to win large pots and how tournament pressure affects decisions. In multi-way pots or during the bubble, risk management becomes critical.
• Reading and deception: Even in online formats, player patterns, timing tells, and bet sizing reveal information. Balance your aggression with credible, well-timed bluffs and value bets.
• Draws, outs, and equities: Use math to assess whether calls or folds are profitable over the long run. In lowball variants like Razz and Badugi, upside often comes from precise outs and clean redraws rather than big implied odds.

Now, a more specific look at how strategy morphs per variant helps you plan ahead when you encounter these games in real play:

Strategic notes for Hold’em and Omaha variants

Hold’em emphasizes positional leverage and board texture. In Omaha, the requirement to use exactly two hole cards dramatically increases the frequency of strong but often vulnerable hands. This means bet sizing should reflect the probability that opponents hold a better two-card combination, and you should be cautious with multi-way pots where the board can create multiple strong draws at once. In both games, understanding ranges and how your hand interacts with the potential holdings on the board is essential for making profitable turns and rivers.

Stud and draw-based variants

In Seven-Card Stud, you gain information each street from visible cards. Memory and deduction power are crucial; plan your betting around what your opponents could have given their exposed cards. For draw-heavy games like Five-Card Draw and Triple Draw variants, the emphasis shifts toward the accuracy of your draws, the strength of your draw-to-improve, and the timing of aggression to maximize fold equity when you have a draw or a made hand.

Lowball and Badugi strategy

Lowball games reward the player who can spot the cleanest, lowest possible hand and maintain discipline when the board is dangerous. In Badugi, you want to chase a hand with four cards, all different ranks and suits. The strategy centers on calculating the odds to improve to a clean hand and manipulating opponents’ perceptions by selective aggression or passivity. In lowball, sometimes the best move is to fold strong-looking hands in high-stakes contexts because the payoff for improvement is too risky relative to the pot odds.

Roadmap to choosing the right variant for you

Choosing a poker variant is less about chasing the “best” game and more about aligning with your goals, skill level, and the situation you most often encounter. Here are practical guidelines to help you select wisely:

• Skill development trajectory: Start with a widely played, simpler variant like Texas Hold'em to learn core concepts, then branch into Omaha or Stud as you gain comfort with complex decision-making.
• Stakes and accessibility: If you primarily play online micro-stakes or live casual sessions, Hold'em and Five-Card Draw are typically more accessible. For seasoned players seeking challenging formats, mix games and high-variance variants like Omaha Hi-Lo or Badugi.
• Table dynamics and competition: In a mixed-game environment or live tournament that frequently rotates formats, you’ll benefit from breadth and adaptability. Build a personal cheat sheet of common lines and outs for each variant you expect to encounter.
• Time and focus: Some variants demand more focused, multi-street analysis, while others rely on quick reads and post-flop decision-making. Choose accordingly based on how much time you can devote to study and practice in a given session.

Learning resources and practical practice tips

Becoming proficient across multiple variants is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are practical ways to deepen your understanding and accelerate improvement:

• Study reputable guides and game trees: For each variant, study starting hand charts (where applicable), position-based strategies, and typical bet-sizing patterns. Use solver-backed resources for a deeper dive into optimal play ranges.
• Track and analyze your sessions: Maintain a simple log of hands by variant, noting the decisions you made, the outcomes, and the reasoning behind them. Periodically review to identify leaks and recurring misreads.
• Play across formats: Create a routine where you dedicate equal time to Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud over a month. This balanced approach reduces over-specialization and broadens strategic intuition.
• Use training tools and simulations: Online training platforms, hand replay features, and practice rooms let you experiment with different lines without risking real money, which accelerates learning.

Glossary of common terms you’ll encounter when exploring poker variants

Since many terms have variant-specific meanings, here’s a quick glossary to help you navigate discussions and strategy guides:

• Outs: Cards that would give you a better hand on the next street.
• Implied odds: The potential future winnings that justify calling a current bet, based on expected future bets from opponents.
• ICM: Indifference or Independent Chip Model—rules for evaluating decisions in tournament play where chip value changes with payout structure.
• Dry/wet board: A dry board has few straight or flush possibilities; a wet board offers many draws.
• Split pot: A pot division between players who have qualifying hands (high and low in Hi-Lo variants).
• Blockers: Cards that reduce an opponent’s potential outs because they can’t hold certain combinations.
• Drawing dead: A condition where a hand has no chance of improving to a winning hand.

Exploring poker variants is one of the most rewarding aspects of the game. It expands your strategic toolkit, keeps sessions engaging, and reveals the depth at the heart of poker logic. As you experiment with Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and the broader ecosystem of mixed formats, you’ll notice a natural evolution in your decision-making—more precise sizing, sharper mental math, and calmer nerves when the stakes rise. The path to mastery is paved with curiosity, deliberate practice, and consistent reflection on both successful hands and the ones that didn’t go as planned. Embrace the variety, keep a notebook of insights, and let the table be your ongoing laboratory where theory meets real-world action. With time, you’ll internalize the rules, harness the variance, and cultivate a resilient concentration that serves you across every variant you choose to play.

Ready to put this knowledge into motion? Start by picking two variants you’re comfortable with—say Texas Hold’em and Omaha—and schedule a weekly practice block to compare your performance. Track how you adjust your ranges, how you respond to different table textures, and how your understanding of pot odds translates into decisions. Across weeks and months, you’ll notice a noticeable uptick in confidence, a steadier win rate, and a richer appreciation for the artistry and science of poker. The game is waiting, with new hands and new challenges at every table.