Guide to Poker Variants
Online poker players tend to be spoiled for choice these days when it comes to picking a poker game to join at their online casino. At LeoVegas, we have a wide variety of different poker variants, which means that you can play your favourite version or try out different options.
Which types of poker can I play online?
Here at LeoVegas, you’ll find a broad range of poker variants, including a few different types of poker games in our live dealer lobby, and others that you can play one-on-one with an automated dealer.
You’ll find Texas Hold’em, for example, and other popular variants such as Casino Stud, Live Caribbean Stud Poker and more. We also offer a few different versions of the popular variants, so you can try your hand at Live Texas Hold’em, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Two-Hand Casino Hold’em and Live Casino Hold’em Jumbo. You’ll also find some unusual variants that you may not have heard of before, such as Teen Patti.
Some types of the game commonly found in land-based casinos might not be available when you play poker online, often due to practicalities. Some poker games can be played one-on-one against a dealer, and other types are played against other players, perhaps with a dealer or with one of the players acting as a dealer.
Friendly games at home invariably just use one of the players as a dealer, but online games will generally use a real (in the case of live poker) or electronic dealer. Therefore, you’re more likely to be playing the types of games that see you going up against the dealer alone than playing with other players. When playing online, you’ll find that the cards are often dealt electronically, which may sound a little odd, but it won’t affect the quality of the game.
Texas Hold’em is a common poker variant where you can play against the dealer, so this lends itself well to playing online. At LeoVegas, we have various poker options available in our live lobby with a real live dealer, and all the action is streamed from us to you via the screen of your favourite device.
Popular variants of poker in online casinos
There are many different types of poker card games. Some poker variants you might want to try include:
Omaha Texas Hold’em Seven-Card Stud Three-Card Poker Caribbean Stud Poker
Let’s explore the different variants of poker you might come across.
Top poker variants: Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is probably the most well-known variant of poker, and you can play it right here. It’s also the one you may well have played at home with friends if you’ve ever got involved in an informal game of poker.
This version of the game can be played with multiple players, and our live poker offerings mean that you can play online in real time, interacting with the dealer and the other players much the same as you would in any land-based casino. There is even a variation within online casinos where you can play against the house rather than other players.
Top poker variants: Omaha
Omaha is another popular poker variant and is played with community cards. Each player is dealt four cards, and the community cards are dealt into the middle of the table. Players must make their best hand using two of the cards they were dealt, plus three of the five community cards, creating a five-card hand. The value of the hands is the same as in other types of poker. It’s just the way that the hands are formed that’s different from other versions, as usually all the cards are dealt directly to the players.
Top poker variants: Seven-Card Stud
Stud poker is a variant of poker that was popular long before Texas Hold’em. The original version was played with five cards and dates back to the American Civil War. It got official status as a poker variant when it appeared in The American Hoyle in 1864, and its popularity with servicemen somehow stuck, making it a popular game they played through both World Wars.
Top poker variants: Three-Card Poker
Traditional variants of poker commonly use a five-card hand, but Three-Card Poker is a good option and essentially operates as a mini-version of the game, with the hands simply being a little smaller than in traditional five-card games.
A straight flush still exists, for example. but you only need three consecutive cards. A mini royal flush is an ace, king and queen of the same suit. You can try out our live Three-Card Poker to see if this is a game that might appeal to you.
Top poker variants: Caribbean Stud Poker
You could also try out Caribbean Stud Poker. It’s based on the other widely played versions of stud poker but is designed to be played just between a player and a dealer – so again, it tends to work well in online venues. You’ll just be up against the house, so you don’t need to worry about other players.
Other poker variants to try
While we’ve covered some of the more popular types of poker games above, there are other options you can try, including some unusual takes on the game that we have available here in our live poker lobby. Consider trying out a few different options such as Teen Patti, which puts an Asian twist on traditional three-card poker games, or Video Poker Live if you are interested in a high jackpot poker game.
Of course, knowing that there are a lot of different poker variants to try is just the start. Make sure that you know a little about each game before you try it so that you don’t get too confused. Most poker variants have at least some rules in common, so each game will feel somewhat familiar, but some rules vary. It’s always a good idea to learn the basics before jumping into a new type of game.
Poker Variant FAQs
What is the most popular poker variant?
The most popular poker variant is probably Texas Hold’em. It’s widely played all around the world, is hugely popular in online and real-world casinos, and is played everywhere,from major poker tournaments to informal, friendly games. It’s also the main event played in the iconic World Series of Poker (WSOP) competition.
What poker variant is best for a faster-paced game?
For a faster-paced poker variant, you’re probably best off going for one of those where you play directly against the house, rather than around a real or virtual table with multiple other players. We’d recommend Caribbean Stud Poker for a faster-paced poker game.
What poker variant should I play first?
Many would suggest that beginners go with Texas Hold’em, as it’s very popular, meaning that there are plenty of resources out there to help you learn it. Once you’ve learned the rules of this variant, you’ll generally find it easier to learn other types of poker games. However, some beginner players might prefer a variant such as Three-Card Poker, as it offers a mini-version of the game and can be a good way to practice the basics early on.