(Poker continued)

Poker Variations

     

There are many, many variations of poker. Here is a brief description of three of the most popular games.

7 Card Stud

In 7 card stud, each player initially gets dealt 2 cards down and one card up, followed by a round of betting known as 3rd street. Typically, the player showing the best card/hand will bet first. Each player is then dealt another face up card and a second round of betting occurs on 4th street. Two more rounds and two more face up cards, 5th and 6th street follow. 7th street, or the river, is the last card and is dealt face down. A last round of betting occurs and then the showdown. The player who can make the best 5 card hand from their 7 cards wins the pot. (i)

Omaha

In Omaha, each player gets 2 cards face down and the dealer places 5 cards face down in the center of the table. The 5 cards in the center of the table are community cards and each player will use the cards in their hands with the cards in the table to make the best 5 card hand they can. A round of betting occurs after the deal, then the dealer turns over each card one at a time with a round of betting between each. (i)

Texas Hold'em

Each player gets two cards face down. A round of betting follows. Two of the players at the table must make a blind bet regardless of what cards they have. One is a small blind and the other is the big blind. Each player must call or raise the blind bet or fold. Checking is not allowed on the first round. Afterward, the flop occurs, where the dealer places 3 community cards in the center of the table face up. A round of betting occurs after the flop, followed then by the dealing of another face up community card, this one called "the turn". Another round of betting occurs after the turn and then the river card is drawn as the last community card. A final round of betting occurs and then the showdown. The player with the best 5 card hand of the seven cards wins the pot. (i)

Reference

1. Hoyle's Rules of Games Third Revised and Updated Edition