Best online poker games - 2023's list & guide

All about the most popular variants you can play on the internet and where

What Is Considered the Best Online Poker Game?

Before we answer that, let’s first agree on one thing – what does ‘best’ mean in this context? If you’re looking for the most profitable game, there’s only one answer: The one at which you’re better than everyone else. However, when asking about the , people usually seek entertainment or a challenge. With that in mind, these are the most popular poker variations played online:

Texas Hold’em - undisputed king of both online and live poker
Omaha - four cards make the gaming experience more exciting
7-Card Stud - a game of pure skill; great for dual screening
Razz - the opposite of Hold’em (play lowest hand possible)
5-Card Draw - good selection for beginners and casual players
H.O.R.S.E. - mix of different poker variants in a single tournament
Crazy Pineapple - like Hold’em, but start with three holes cards

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Out of all those games, Texas Hold’em stands out as #1. Learning the rules takes just a few minutes, yet it provides plenty of room for outsmarting your opponents. Omaha is also very popular since it has a lot in common with Hold’em, but adds another dimension through the use of four cards per player.

Where to Play Every Type of Online Poker Games

If you want to try the best online poker games, you’ve come to the right place. Most offer a variety of options and run both live and tournament tables for each variant. There are even some sites that are known to draw the majority of their traffic to specific games. For example, PokerStars is the home of low-stakes and micro stakes , while also having tons of Hold’em action. On the other hand, uses Crazy Pineapple as its main offering, so you can say that they’re one of the .

However, it doesn’t make any sense to change sites every time you want to switch games. Therefore, when making our , we always make sure that all the major poker games are present. Moreover, top online rooms invest heavily into creating custom rules, new formats, and innovative features which can only be found on their platform.

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For instance, has short deck Hold’em with 36-card decks (all twos removed), while also offering 2-6 Plaza games with no flush or straight bonuses. has a unique type of called Sit & Crash, while runs annual Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and Winter Edition (WOCOP).

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Online Poker Games List & Rules

Now, let’s dive deeper into details by presenting a poker games list along with a quick overview of how each variation works. As you will see, the share both popular and lesser-known versions, some of which might become your favorites.

#1 Texas Hold’em Poker

Even if you’ve never set foot inside a casino or poker room, you’ve probably heard about Texas Hold’em. Since being popularized by TV shows like High Stakes Poker and tournaments like the WSOP Main Event, this has become world’s favorite poker game. In fact, it’s safe to say that Texas Hold’em is to poker what football is to sports. Everyone plays it or at least knows how it’s done.

How to play Texas Hold’em poker online?

Step 1: Players put in money before the round begin. This is the ‘blinds’. One player gets a small blind, another big blind. The rest don’t have to put anything in yet. Step 2: Each player gets two cards facing down. These are your ‘hole’ cards. They are only visible to you. Step 3: There is now a round of betting where you can call, raise or fold. Step 4: Once betting is closed, a round of community card dealing begins. Three cards are dealt, face up. This is the ‘flop’. Another round of betting ensues. Step 5: Next, another community card is added, face up. This is the ‘turn’. Betting round #3. Step 6: Finally, a fifth and last community card is added, face up. This is the ‘river’. Final betting round. Step 7: Those who remain reveal their cards. The person with the best five-card handwins. Step 8: Distribution of profits.

Texas Hold’em is a game that combines luck and skill. It’s not just about getting good cards. You must know when to throw bad hands, and how much pressure to apply against potentially stronger hands. Betting is an integral part of Hold’em, allowing people to drive each other out of pots, bluff, or force others to show their cards. Additionally, there are lots of different strategies to learn, from playing position to counting cards. Even though it looks complicated at first glance, once you get the hang of it, Texas Hold’em becomes second nature. So, give it a go! We guarantee it’s fun!

#2 Omaha Poker

Also known as Omaha Hold’em, this is another highly regarded poker variation that’s available at every major online card room. However, instead of having two, players start with four cards. As you might know, this gives them more options to build strong hands using different combinations. Indeed, Omaha poker online creates a fast-paced environment where ups and downs can happen quickly.

This game is also contested at the world’s most prestigious tournaments and cash tables, right next to Texas Hold’em. Furthermore, Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) has become extremely popular among high rollers and is starting to trickle down to the masses. So, maybe in the future, you’ll get to see super rich people tilt after losing to … you.

How to play Omaha poker online?

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The rules are almost identical to Texas Hold’em, except that:

Each player receives four covered cards.
Players must make a combination using exactly two cards from their hand.

All other aspects, including betting rounds and community cards, are the same.

#3 Razz Poker

If you like Texas Hold’em, but never seem to get good cards, then Razz could be your thing. In fact, this is the exact opposite of Hold’em in this regard as the goal is to make the lowest five-card hand possible. Straights, flushes, and pairs don’t count against you. The best hand in Razz poker online is 5-4-3-2-A. Also worth mentioning is the fact that hi-lo games are supported at leading online casinos. However, when it comes to poker rooms made for poker, you won’t find many other options outside of .

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How to play Razz poker online?

Just like Texas Hold’em, but keeping the following in mind:

Your goal is to get the lowest hand.
Aces are low.
There are no qualification requirements for the best hand.

#4 Seven-Card Stud Poker

Another classic that predates the commercial era of poker is Seven-Card Stud. Unlike Texas Hold’em, this game isn’t free drinks and sponsorship deals for the winners. However, it does have a certain charm that keeps it relevant until this day. Seven-Card Stud poker online requires players to build the strongest hand by carefully selecting cards from a total of seven on hand. Although difficult to learn, it rewards skill more than luck and allows players to display a wider range of skills.

How to play Seven-Card Stud poker online?

Each player starts with one face-down card and one face-up card. Next, players need to bet based on the value of the face-up card. After another round of face-up cards plus another round of betting, players receive another face-down card. This process continues until players have a total of seven cards from which they must make the strongest hand. Let’s go over the rules in detail:

Each player puts in a minimum of half the minimum bet.
Every player starts with one face-down card (+1 card) and one face-up card (+1 suit).
After another round of betting, everyone gets a third card (face-up).
More betting, then a fourth card (face-up).
Yet more betting, then a fifth card (face-down).
Another card (+1 rank) that’s face-up, followed by another round of betting.
Sixth card (face-down), plus more betting.
Seventh (final) card (face-up), final round of betting.
Showdown: players reveal their cards to determine the winner.

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#5 Five-Card Draw Poker

As the name implies, this version of poker involves drawing new cards to replace the ones in your hand in the hopes of improving them. While still popular, especially among casual players, Five-Card Draw isn’t as prominent as Texas Hold’em or Omaha. Part of the reason is that it is easier to cheat since players don’t have to watch the community cards. Instead, they focus on their own hands. Thus, wild cards and jokers are often allowed in online variations.

How to play Five-Card Draw poker online?

All players get five cards face-down. There is then a round of betting after which players can exchange zero to five cards. Another round of betting follows and then the hands are revealed. The person with the best hand wins. Simple, right?

It wouldn’t be poker if there weren’t ways to bluff and manipulate your opponents. With this in mind, we recommend joining the top sites that offer various poker games and versions. That way, you can learn different styles and take your game to the next level.

#6 Crazy Pineapple Poker

If you love Texas Hold’em but feel like something is missing, then you should check out Crazy Pineapple. This variation gives you more options by starting each player with three hole cards instead of two. However, after the first round of betting, you have to get rid of one of them. Although it might seem frustrating to discard a potential winner, the truth is that Crazy Pineapple encourages more creativity. Moreover, it can help you develop better Texas Hold’em skills.

How do you play Crazy Pineapple poker online?

The rules are mostly similar to Texas Hold’em with the following exceptions:

Every player gets three cards instead of two.
After the first betting round, players discard one of their cards.
Remaining cards and betting rounds follow the same pattern as Hold’em.

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#7 H.O.R.S.E. Poker

While Texas Hold’em may be the most popular poker game today, that wasn’t always the case. Before the poker boom of the 2000′, the most played variant was probably . Short for ‘Fix Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Eight or Better’, this game represents the ultimate test for all-around poker players. Indeed, switching from No-Limit Hold’em to HORSE can be tough because the skills required are completely different.

Obviously, you can’t go out and play HORSE everywhere because it’s a blend of different games. However, many operators are starting to offer , such as H.O.S.E., which is hold’em, Omaha, seven-card stud, and eight-or-better in one game. When players have shown mastery of this variant, they receive the coveted HORSE bracelet at the . Until you manage to win one, keep reading to find out more about how each component works:

Hold’em: the same as Texas Hold’em, but typically fixed limit.
Omaha Hi/Lo: also known as Omaha PLO or PLO, this game uses the same rules as standard Omaha, except that the pot is split between the highest and the lowest-ranked hand.
Razz: as explained above, the goal in Razz is to have the lowest hand, with aces being considered low.
Seven-Card Stud: not to be confused with , this game starts with each player receiving one face-down card and one face-up card. Then, a betting round ensues, followed by a face-up card and another round of betting. From this point forward, players receive or discard cards while alternating with each new card bringing a betting round. The goal is to have the best five-card hand.
Eight-or-Better: also known as Stud Hi/Lo, eight-or-better is almost the same as seven-card stud, except that the pot is split between the best five-card hand and the best five-card hand with no tens or higher.

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Are There Any Other Online Poker Variations?

Yes, the above cover mostly the most popular online poker games you can find across the top platforms. However, the list doesn’t end here. If you explore the lobby of top online rooms, you will find support for numerous other types, including but not limited to:

2-7 Triple Draw: also known as Kansas City Lowball, the goal of 2-7 Triple Draw is to have the lowest hand, similar to Razz, but played in a different format. To win the pot, a player must have a hand no higher than 7-5-4-3-2 without suits factoring in. Players can discard and replace cards twice during a single round of betting.
Badugi: played four times out of five in the world’s finest prisons, Badugi is a lowball game where players are trying to get the lowest and Four unmatched cards. Flush or pairs count against you. Straights don’t matter either.
5-Card Draw: similar to the traditional version described above, but there are no Stud or Razz twists.
2-6 Pot: a crossbreed between Seven-Card Stud and Five-Card Draw that uses only two or six players.
Pineapple: also known as Crazy Pineapple Poker, this variant starts with each player being dealt three cards facedown and one card faced up. After the first betting round, players must discard one of their cards. Available at .
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How to Choose the Right Version for You?

After going through all the online poker games, how do you pick the right one(s)? Well, the best way to maximize your entertainment is to diversify your portfolio. If you only play Texas Hold’em, you are missing out on a ton of fun. Who knows, your best poker variation might even be an alternative to Hold’em that you haven’t tried yet.

Speaking of Texas Hold’em, it is definitely the number one option for everyone who is new to online poker rooms. Not only because it is easy to understand and play, but also because it has the most traffic and tournaments. Therefore, if you wish to someday play in the biggest events for millions of dollars, Hold’em is the way to go.

Omaha is another great choice because it is very similar to Hold’em, but more entertaining due to the four cards you start with. This variation also has enough traffic on the Internet to allow you to climb the poker ranks while having fun.

Games like Seven-Card Stud, Razz, Badugi, Five-Card Draw, or 2-7 Triple Draw are recommended for players who already know the basics and wish to improve their skills. By learning to play different types of poker online, you expand your knowledge and gain an advantage when facing opponents who only know one or two variations.

Last, but not least, it is important to choose an online poker site that has your preferred variants. Luckily, the support a large number of games and even provide filters in the client for easily accessing them.

Useful Tips to Keep in Mind

Regardless of the type of you play, it’s important to keep certain tips in minds if success is your goal. Some of these are general advice for online poker; other are specific guidance on how to approach certain variants.

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General Poker Room Advice

Only play on legal and licensed sites: Safety should be your main concern online. The easiest way to ensure you are well protected is by choosing a regulated poker room. In the US, this means picking between and sites working with vendors that obtained a license.
Claim welcome bonuses and promotions: another great way to stay safe online is through by getting the community behind you. Top brands give new customers bonus money for the bankroll, as well as special perks like tickets for freerolls and free spins on the casino side of things.
Download the software to your computer: while browser-based clients work on all operating systems, nothing can beat the performance of a locally installed app. Moreover, only the desktop clients for Windows, macOS, or Mobile (via Android Emulator) give you full access to all features, especially regarding poker games.
Take advantage of customization settings: whether it’s , Texas Hold’em, or any other variant; you will be spending a lot of time with it. Make sure the experience is comfortable by adjusting the color scheme, sound profile, hotkeys, quick seat, and other preferences.
Play responsibly: finally, no matter what game you choose, always gamble within your budget and while being in control of your actions.

Specific Advice for Different Types of Poker Games

If you struggle with Texas Hold’em: try playing from position as much as possible. Meaning, having the action behind you. It gives you more information and more time to make a decision. Also, learn to identify and avoid worst-case scenarios, like playing marginal hands from MP or being raised pre-flop in the BB.
To dominate Omaha: pay attention to your opponents’ tendencies and the average winning hands for the current table. People play quite loose in most Razzo games, so you can afford to see cheap flops with any pair or wrap draws. Also, if your opponents are doing the same, the average winning hand is usually a pair of threes.
For Seven-Card Stud, always start with the worst hand: meaning, call for a card that improves your worst hand. Only raise if you think someone is bluffing. Also, avoid showing your good cards early because your opponents might adjust their strategy against you.
In Five-Card Draw: try initiating plays when people hold on to their second or third best cards. Also, don’t forget that sometimes it is better to keep one or two cards, even if you can discard up to five. Especially if you believe your opponents are holding hands that can beat yours.
Most importantly, remember that you can always access these poker games online.

Poker Games FAQ

As the interest in grows with each passing year, it makes sense for our readers to also grow in numbers. While trying to answer questions sent by email, we realized that it would be better to provide quick answers directly on our website. Below, you can find the most popular queries from other new customers.

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🔹 What are the most popular poker games online?

Without a doubt, the most popular poker games online are Texas Hold'em and Omaha. Luckily, all the best poker rooms in the online industry have these two variants available in abundances. Moreover, if you browse through their lobbies, you will find support for less popular options as well, such as Seven-Card Stud, Razz, Five-Card Draw, and more.

❓ What is the easiest poker game to learn and play?

Based on feedback from customer service departments, the easiest poker game to learn and play is Texas Hold'em. Its popularity is also massive because this is the variant that gets the most exposure through TV shows, streaming personalities, and movies. Moreover, Texas Hold'em is also relatively simple because it starts with fairly basic decisions and gradually increases the complexity as the hand progresses.

🕹️ Can I practice poker games online for free?

Yes, most online poker sites offer players the chance to practice for free. This can be done by opening tables in play money mode or by taking advantage of no-deposit bonuses that give you credit to wager online. Of course, the best option is using real money because it makes you more aware of the decisions you are making.

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💎 Which is the best online poker game?

The best poker game depends on your skills and preference. If you want the most action and highest possibilities,Texas Hold'em would be the best option. However, if you want something different, Omaha, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and other variants can also be enjoyable. The best way to figure out what is best is by actually trying out multiple poker games online.

🏆 What is the best site to play poker games online?

The best site to play poker games online changes from one country to another due to regulation. However, based on feedback from players in unregulated markets, the best poker site is . Whether you are playing on mobile or desktop, you will benefit from one of the largest player pools, impressive bonus offers, and access to all types of poker online.

Conclusion

Poker is a fascinating game that can be played in many different ways. Originally, the goal was to have the best hand, but variants like Razz changed that to also include the worst hand. Still, the basic principles remain the same. Knowing the is essential if you plan on succeeding online.

Our recommendation is to start with Texas Hold'em and perhaps move to Omaid for extra experience. All the best poker sites have these two available. If you want more alternatives, such as Razz or Seven-Card Stud, make sure you choose the right operator before creating an account.

Make sure you also check out our comprehensive guides to other popular casino games below:

Michael Gallagher