Poker is one of the oldest card games, entertaining people from centuries. It has evolved across different cultures from Europe to China and the Middle East. By the 1800s, it had gained massive popularity and became a global sensation.
In the modern world, online poker has become a new norm and taken over the gaming landscape like never before. It is all due to the internet and smartphones. The online version allowed players to enjoy poker anytime, anywhere. No need to visit a land-based site to experience the thrill.
With so many poker variations available, each with its own rules and strategies, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To help you find your next favorite, this blog brings you a list of 12 exciting poker games you can play in 2025. Get ready to explore different styles and test your skills!
Poker Games: 12 Different Types of Unique Poker Variations
Here is the list of 12 different types of poker variations games to choose from in 2025:
1. Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is played across the globe. The game begins with players receiving two private cards, and five community cards are dealt on the table, in a face-up position, in steps later. The best possible hand of five cards using any combination of these seven cards wins the round.
The game is played in four rounds: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. Players can check, bet, raise, or fold based on their hand strength and table dynamics. Due to its simple rules and deep strategy, Texas Hold’em is the preferred choice for poker tournaments for many poker enthusiasts.
Most popular poker variant
Objective is to create the best hand using 5 cards
Consists of four rounds – Pre Flop, Flop, Turn, and River
Highly strategic game
2. Omaha Poker
This poker variant, similar to Texas Hold’em, offers a faster-paced and more strategic gameplay. Players receive four hole cards and must use exactly two along with three community cards to form the best hand. With variations like Omaha Hi-Lo, the game appeals to enthusiasts seeking greater complexity, action, and dynamic decision-making.
Similar to Texas Hold’em with minor differences
4 hole cards are dealt instead of two
Form the best five-card hand using 2 of your hole cards
3. Five-Card Draw
Five-Card Draw is a simple and beginner-friendly poker variant, often played casually. Players receive five cards and can improve their hands by drawing new ones. With fewer betting rounds and straightforward gameplay, it’s ideal for learning the basics of poker.
Razz Poker is a unique variant where the goal is to make the lowest possible hand. The traditional hand rankings are reversed in Razz Poker. With no card-swapping and familiar mechanics to Stud Poker, it offers a fresh strategic twist for players. If you have played Stud Poker earlier, then you may find Razz Poker enjoyable.
You are dealt five cards
Follows standard Poker hand rankings
Has a draw phase, where you can exchange unwanted cards
Best-ranking hand wins in the showdown
4. Razz Poker
The objective is reversed; the lowest hand wins
Aces are always low, straights and flushes do not count
Players cannot exchange cards as well
Resembles Stud Poker
5. OF Chinese Poker
Open Face Chinese Poker is one of the most popular types of poker games in 2025. In this game, instead of wagering chips, players compete for points. The objective is to create the highest-scoring hand by collecting more points than the opponents. Players take turns by drawing and placing cards into different hand formations aiming to make the best hand. In the end, the player with the highest number of points is the winner.
6. Stud Poker
Players receive a mix of face-up and face-down cards in Stud Poker. Players must rely on the cards they are individually dealt, as there are no community cards in this variant. There are multiple betting rounds usually four or more, depending on the specific version.
One of the most popular variants is the Seven-Card Stud, often known as Stud Poker. The primary difference between its variants lies in the number of cards dealt and the structure of betting rounds.
Players are dealt with both face up and face down cards
No community cards are dealt
Typically includes four betting rounds
7. 2-7 Triple Poker
It is a lowball poker variant that is similar to Razz, where the goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand. This makes the worst possible traditional poker hand the best possible hand in 2-7 Triple Draw, just like in Razz Poker.
2-3-4-5-7 (with at least two suits to avoid a flush) is the best hand. The game allows three drawing rounds allowing players to discard and replace cards to improve their low hand. Since hand rankings differ from standard high-hand poker, strategic decision-making is crucial.
Objective is same as Razz Poker
Straights and Flushes are of no use
Players have three rounds to discard and draw cards
8.Crazy Pineapple
Players are initially dealt three-hole cards instead of two (as in Texas Hold’em). The major difference occurs after the flop (the first three community cards) when players must discard one of their three-hole cards and keep only two for the remainder of the hand.
After discarding the card, the game proceeds in the same fashion as Texas Hold’em where the turn (fourth community card) is revealed, followed by another betting round, and then the river (fifth and final community card) is dealt. During the last round, a showdown occurs, and the player with the best five-card hand wins the game.
9. Badugi
Badugi follows a lowball format where the primary aim of a player is to have the lowest possible hand of four cards. The game consists of four betting rounds during which players have the option to draw and replace up to four cards in each round.
The objective is to create a Badugi hand with four unique ranks and suits. The best possible hand in Badugi is A-2-3-4 with all four cards of different suits. One with the best Badugi hand in the end wins the game.
Aces are always low in Badugi
Different from traditional poker
Winning requires the lowest hand
10. Hi-Lo Poker
Also known as Omaha 8 or Better, it is a split-pot poker variant based on Omaha Poker. The pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand. Players are dealt four hole cards the gameplay follows that of Omaha Poker, except a player has to use all their hole cards. To qualify for the low hand, a player must have five unpaired cards with rank 8 or lower.
In case no qualifying low hand exists, the entire pot goes to the player with the best high hand. If a player has both the best high and low hand (a scoop) then they win the entire pot.
A split-pot variant of Omaha Poker
Pot is divided among the best and worst hand
Players get four hole cards
11. Seven-Card Stud
Seven-Card Stud ranks just behind Texas Hold’em when it comes to popularity. This poker game does not involve community cards. Instead, each player is individually dealt a combination of face-up and face-down cards throughout the hand. Each player starts with three cards: two hole cards face down and one face up. Throughout the hand, four more cards are dealt to each player, three face up and one final face down, totaling seven cards. To win the game, a player must form the best possible five-card hand from these seven cards.
12. H.O.R.S.E.
H.O.R.S.E. is a mixed poker game that combines five different poker variants. The name HORSE is an acronym representing the five games played in rotation:
H – Texas Hold’em
O – Omaha
R – Razz (a lowball Stud variant)
S – Seven-Card Stud
E – Seven-Card Stud Eight or Better (also known as Stud Hi-Lo)
H.O.R.S.E. is a mixed poker format that rotates through five different poker variants. It challenges players to quickly adapt to changing rules and strategies, making it ideal for experienced, well-rounded players with strong overall poker skills.
A player who is proficient in only Texas Hold’em or Omaha may struggle as other variants require a completely different approach. Due to this complexity, H.O.R.S.E. requires skills over these five variants. It is often featured in major poker tournaments like the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Poker Variation Comparison Table
Variant
Hand Type
Hole Cards
Betting Rounds
Key Features / Notes
Texas Hold’em
High
2
4
Most popular; simple to learn, strategic gameplay
Omaha Poker
High
4
4
Use exactly 2 of 4 hole cards in hand formation
Five-Card Draw
High
5
2
Classic draw game; ideal for beginners
Razz Poker
Low
7 (Stud-style)
5
Aces low; lowest hand wins; no straights/flushes
OF Chinese Poker
High
13 (dealt gradually)
0
Players build 3 poker hands; points-based, no betting
Stud Poker
High
7 (Stud-style)
5
No community cards; mix of face-up/down cards
2-7 Triple Draw
Low (2–7)
5
4
Aces high; straights/flushes are bad; 3 draw rounds
Crazy Pineapple
High
3 (keep 2 post-flop)
4
Discard 1 card after flop; more pre-flop action
Badugi
Low (Badugi)
4
4
Goal: 4 cards, different suits/ranks; unique hand rules
Hi-Lo Poker (8 or Better)
High / Low8
Varies (e.g., 4 in Omaha)
4+
Pot split between high and qualifying low hands
Seven-Card Stud
High
7 (Stud-style)
5
Traditional format; memory and hand-reading crucial
Poker continues to offer a variety of exciting game types for every skill level. From Texas Hold’em and Omaha to unique lowball variants like Razz and Badugi, there is something for everyone. Each of the different types of poker games brings in fresh challenges and endless fun. Explore these diverse games and start playing them today with your friends!
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1 What are the different variants of the poker game?
Ans. A list of poker variants includes: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven-Card Stud, Razz, Five-Card Draw, Pineapple Poker, Crazy Pineapple, H.O.R.S.E., Triple Draw Lowball, Deuce-to-Seven Lowball, Crazy Pineapple, Chinese Poker, Short Deck Poker (Six-Plus Hold’em), Stud Hi-Lo, Guts, Open Face Chinese Poker.
Q2.How much does it cost to develop an online poker game consisting of all the variants?
Ans . An online poker game, excluding complex features, can cost you between ten and twenty thousand dollars. With complex features, it can go beyond 20,000 dollars, and if you merge all the prominent variants on a single platform, it would cost around 50,000 dollars.
Q3. What are the essential features required in an online poker game?
Ans. An online Poker game requires various game-enhancing features like: Secure payment systems User-friendly UI Multilingual support Multi-currency support Daily bonuses for promotions
Q4. What is the difference between Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker?
Ans. They are two of the most popular Poker variations. The only difference is in the dealing of the hole cards. Four hole cards are dealt to each player in Omaha Poker, while players get two hole cards in Texas Hold’em. Besides that, there are no distinct differences between the two variations.
Q5. How do I ensure the security of my online poker game?
Ans. An online Poker game requires various security protocols to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the platform. Features like SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and PCI DSS are integral for ensuring the security of the Poker platform.
Q6. Can I monetize my poker game? If yes, how?
Ans. Yes, you can monetize and generate revenue from your Poker game. An online Poker platform can take advantage of multiple monetization strategies like in-app purchases, entry fees from matches, and advertisements.
Q7. What is the timeline for developing a poker game?
Ans. On average, it takes around 2 to 3 months to develop a Poker game from scratch.
Nitin Garg is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and the visionary founder of BR Softech, a globally recognized leader in game development. With over 13 years of industry experience, he has been instrumental in transforming BR Softech into a powerhouse of innovation, offering cutting-edge solutions in Video Games, Blockchain Games, NFT Game Development, and card games like Poker, Rummy, and Teen Patti.
Nitin’s deep expertise in emerging technologies, combined with a sharp business acumen, has helped position BR Softech as a trusted name in the international gaming arena. Under his leadership, BR Softech has built a global clientele of 3,000+ satisfied customers and scaled a dedicated in-house team of 180+ skilled professionals.