Poker is one of the most popular and iconic casino contests ever. Experts and historians believe that the game was first invented in Germany during the 16th century.
Of course, back when the competition was created, it should have been very different from the modern-day versions of it that we all know and love today. But it set the ground for the creation of the modern version.
Although we refer to a ‘modern-day version of poker’, there are now multiple versions of it. There is no single version. There are several ones.
In this article, we shall discuss the most popular poker variations that exist and break them down for you. This might help you choose the best variation for yourself.
Feel free to try all of these variants out for yourself and find the one you like best. But, if you do not have the time for that, this article has got you covered!
Just like at the detailed breakdown under each variation to assess which one you think you will like best.
Why Do People Like Poker, And Why Are There Different Variants Of That Game?
Before we start describing the different variations, it might be useful to discuss why poker is still trending and why different alterations have been invented.
High RTP and big wins
Poker is one of the casino bets with the highest RTP.
RTP means Return to Player. By looking at a bet’s RTP, participants can have an idea of how much money they can expect to make back during the competition.
If a game’s RTP is 99%, then a player can usually expect to make back most of the money they put into the event.
Many of its contests and variants have extremely high RTPs, like 99.47%. Players can also win big when playing the match.
It is exciting to play a real money poker game with a high RTP and big winnings available. This is why so many contestants love the games.
Did You Know?
When poker originated in the American South, participants gambled for the golden nuggets, dust, and coins.Eventually, chips were invented to provide a standard unit.
More variations, more fun
Poker is an old and classic casino game. Because of its long history, some might think of it as a boring contest.
Some contestants used to say that there was nothing new or exciting about it. They had played it hundreds of times and had gotten tired of it.
They were interested in new, innovative, and bolder casino games. Slots soon became a hit because they were newer casino contests.
Companies and developers who specialized in these games had to innovate in order to stay relevant. They decided to create new poker variations to make the wagering more exciting.
Soon, gamers started playing it again. They wanted to try out the different themes and rediscover this classic casino contest.
There are now new variations of it every few years to keep players interested.
Before looking into the two most popular variations, it may be wise to check out some ‘how to’ videos online on basic poker rules. These will allow you to see the physical structure of the contest and how it is played.
Breakdown of the two most popular poker variations
Now, here is a breakdown of the most frequent and best-selling poker variations on the market.
Texas Hold’em
This game is a lot of fun and is currently the most favorite variation in the world.
In order to win this variation, you may need to have the best 5-card poker hand.
This winning poker hand can include 2 of your original cards (that you will have received from the dealer) and 3 community games (placed at the center of the table for all players to use). Alternatively, it can include a mix of 5 other cards.
In this variation, no amount of bluffing will save you. You might need the strongest 5-card hand to win.
The best palm you could get would be a Royal Flush. As a quick reminder, a Royal Flush is a hand where all of your cards are in the same suit (e.g., hearts) and include the following cards:
- ace
- king
- queen
- jack
- ten
Just like in most other poker variations, players will have the option to ‘fold’, ‘call’ or ‘raise’ when playing.
Omaha Hi-Lo
This poker variation is similar to Texas Hold’em. However, instead of being dealt 2-hole cards at the beginning of the bet, players will receive 4 of them.
In order to win, you will also need to have the best high or low 5-card hand. That hand shall include 2-hole cards out of the 4 you received from the dealer.
You can win Omaha Hi-Lo with a high hand a low hand, or a combination of both!
Did You Know?
The world’s largest-ever poker tournament was an online event with 253,692 players, which was won by an Austrian man.
The high side will be with the strongest cards. Just as with Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo’s strongest one is the Royal Flush.
The low hand will include some of the 8 lowest ones in the deck, so eight through ace. For a great low side, aim to get 5-4-3-2-A.
Both the low and the high hands will win thanks to the variation’s split-pot format. This makes Omaha Hi-Lo even more entertaining.
Final thoughts
These are just two of the best-selling variations. There are many more to try out, so feel free to expand your search and look for other fun variations after trying these out.
But do let us know what you think of the Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi-Low poker variations in the comments below!
