Top 12 Different Types of Poker Games in 2025

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
H.O.R.S.E.	Mixed	Varies by variant	Varies	Mix of 5 games: Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Hi-Lo

Final Words

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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