Poker variants share a deck of 52 cards and the ranking of poker hands, which consist of five cards. The individual poker variants differ in terms of gameplay, betting structure, blinds, and possibly in scoring and special rules. From the oldest form, Draw Poker, several other poker types have developed over time, enjoying varying degrees of popularity and prevalence in 2025. We explain the details of the most important poker types and give you an overview of the top poker variants, as found at 20Bet.
Omaha Poker
Omaha is a variant of Hold’em and is therefore fully known as Omaha Hold’em. This variant was developed from Texas Hold’em. The gameplay is nearly identical, and Omaha is played with the same limits commonly used in Texas Hold’em. Pot Limit is the most common Omaha poker variant.
Omaha is widely popular internationally and is part of the World Series of Poker with multiple variants. In online poker, almost every provider offers at least one variant. Professionals prefer Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) because it provides a lot of action, requiring decision-making skills.
How to play Omaha:
The rules of Omaha follow those of Texas Hold’em; however, you receive four hole cards instead of two. A poker hand must consist of two hole cards and three community cards. In Omaha Hi, just like in Texas Hold’em, the best poker hand wins. In Omaha Hi-Lo, the pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand. A low hand consists of five different cards, counted down from 8, with the ace as the lowest card. Players can use different cards for the high and low hands, but must use two hole cards for each. Winning both Hi and Lo is known as a “scoop.”
Stud Poker
Stud poker variants allow players to receive both hole cards and face-up cards. The position of the first bettor changes frequently during a hand. From Five Card Stud, as seen in the poker film “Cincinnati Kid,” Seven Card Stud has developed and largely replaced its predecessor. Seven Card Stud is sometimes played as Hi-Lo.
In poker variants like Tropical or Caribbean Stud and Oasis, players compete individually against the dealer, who must hold a specific hand in each round.
How to play Seven Card Stud:
Seven Card Stud is played with seven cards. Players receive four face-up cards and three face-down cards. The hole cards are dealt with two face down and one face up. This is followed by the 4th, 5th, and 6th Streets as face-up cards, and the 7th Street as the last face-down card.
In each round, players can either bet or fold, followed by a showdown. Typically, Seven Card Stud is played with a fixed limit. In Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, the highest hand shares the pot with the lowest hand. A low hand consists of five cards valued lower than 8.
Draw Poker
Draw poker variants give players the option to exchange their hole cards. Five Card Draw is probably the oldest form of poker and is well-known. In Wild West films, it’s the typical saloon poker style. This formerly popular poker game has become rather rare by 2025 and is usually played among friends rather than online.
How to play Five Card Draw:
Five Card Draw is played by two to seven players. Each player is dealt five hole cards, followed by the first betting round. Typically, it is not possible to raise consecutively, and one betting round allows a maximum of three raises. After the first betting round, players enter the draw phase, where they may exchange cards, usually one, two, or three cards as per the specific rules. Some variants even allow the exchange of four or all cards. Following the draw, there is another betting round, followed by the showdown. Certain draw variants may also involve jokers or jackpots.