Poker Variants and Poker Games Online for Real Money 2024
Ever since the poker boom at the turn of the 21st century, online poker games have continued to grow in popularity. More than two decades later, online poker continues to evolve, while classic poker remains just a few clicks away. This guide breaks down the top poker variants available online and the best US sites to play poker online.
Where to Play Poker Games Online
These are our favorite US sites for playing real-money poker online:
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Three Main Types of Poker Games Online
Draw Poker
Players are dealt hands of cards face down and can exchange some cards to try and improve their hands.
Five Card and Seven Card draw are popular variants.
Stud Poker
Some cards are dealt face down while other are dealt face up in stud poker.
Opponents have some information about your hand and common variants include Seven Card Stud and Razz
Community Poker Games
A number of cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table and shared by players.
These community cards are combined with hole cards dealt face down to each player. Texas Hold'em is Community variant.
Most Popular US Online Poker Games
The best online poker sites offer a nice variation of games, but most operators should at least offer these poker variants.
Texas Hold’em Poker Online
Make the best five-card hand, using the two you’re dealt and three community cards. In Texas Hold’em, each player is dealt two cards face-down – these are known as the ‘pocket’ or ‘hole’ cards. The dealer then progressively reveals five community cards, interspersed with rounds of betting. Once all cards are revealed and all bets are placed, the best five-card hand wins. Texas Hold’em is the world’s most popular poker game online.
Omaha Poker
Make the best five-card hand using two of the four cards you’re dealt and three community cards. Omaha poker is a poker variant similar to Texas Hold’em, and follows the flop, turn & river format of those poker games. The key difference is that each player is dealt four cards, and must construct their hand by using exactly two of these, plus three community cards.
Omaha Hi-Lo
The pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand. Omaha Hi-Lo is a poker variant that follows the same dealing and wagering system – flop, turn, river – as Omaha Poker, with a significant change to the rules. In Hi/Lo poker, each pot is split between two winning hands – the best ‘high’ hand, and the best ‘low’ hand.
Stud Poker
A variation in which players receive a combination of face-up and face-down cards. One of the earliest online poker games, stud refers to a poker variation in which players are dealt a combination of both face-up and face-down cards. The most popular variation, by far, is seven-card stud.
3-Card Poker
Poker meets blackjack in this speedy online poker variant. 3-card, sometimes known as tri-card, is an online poker game in which the dealer is your only opponent. Once both the dealer and the player ante up, three cards are dealt to each. If the player chooses to “play” (as opposed to folding), wagers are made, the hands are revealed, and the best 3-card hand wins the pot.
5-Draw Poker
Make the best five-card hand by drawing (exchanging) your cards. While there are several variations of draw poker available online, five-card draw is by far the most well-known and the most popular. In five-card draw, players are each dealt five cards, all of which are face down. There is a round of betting, followed by each player’s opportunity to exchange as many of their cards as they’d like, followed by one more betting round. After this final betting round, the cards are revealed and the best hand wins the pot.
Follow the Queen
Poker variant full of twists that makes use of wild cards. If you like games that keep you on your toes, Follow the Queen might be right for you. This game is a variant of seven-card stud that makes use of wild cards.
Jacks or Better
To begin, a player must be dealt a pair of Jacks. Jacks or Better is a classic video poker game where the minimum winning hand is a pair of Jacks or higher. The game follows a draw poker format where players can choose to hold or discard cards to form the best possible hand.
Best Poker Variants for Beginners & Experienced Players
Beginners Should Start with the Basics
Simple draw games are best for beginners, because they teach the hierarchy of hands and the permutations of winning. Five-card draw has been a staple of all poker players since the game was invented, learning with parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles around the kitchen table.
While experienced players and pros may not enjoy the limited amount of calculations and betting involved in draw games, beginners can learn about betting, bluffing, and odds through playing draw.
Once you have an understanding of basic draw games, Texas Hold’em is a popular entry to friendly cash games, online poker games, and even tournament play. Hold’em is an easy next-step for poker players just learning the game.
Mixed Games for Experienced Poker Players
Beginners may not enjoy mixed poker games, but learning to play a bunch of different poker variants at once can be rewarding.
A mixed poker game can change the gameplay at certain time intervals, levels, or even hand-by-hand. Some players enjoying adding variations to each hand, such as by making certain cards “wild.”
You can jump back and forth between Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, and other poker variants so long as everyone at your table is comfortable with all of these options. The changes in odds and betting patterns requires a high-degree of concentration!
Best US Sites for Poker Games Online
Real Money Poker Sites
Ready to start playing poker games for real money? We would recommend one of these sites.
Real Money Poker Sites
Mobile Poker Sites
We've reviewed the best sites offering the widest selection of poker games right on your mobile device.
Mobile Poker SitesPoker Games Online FAQs
Is US online poker rigged?
Of course not! As long as you’re playing on a reputable online casino and we’ve highlighted the best and legal online poker operators at the top of this page. Be sure the casino is licensed and regulated before signing up. Poker sites use RNGs (random number generators) to make sure that poker is fair for everyone.
If you aren’t a big fan of random number generator poker games, be sure to give LIVE dealer texas holdem poker rooms a chance. You see a real-life dealer on your screen in real time via a live video stream. It’s just like being at a casino, but from the comfort of your home.
What is the most popular poker game in the US?
Depends who you ask, but since the online poker boom of the early 2000s, No Limit Texas Holdem poker online has earned a lot of headlines as it’s the format used in the World Series of Poker Main Event.
Can you play poker online with your friends in the US?
Yes, once you sign up for a new online casino account, have your friends sign up, too. You can find an online poker room where all of you can sit down and enjoy yourselves. There are even mobile poker options for those on the go.
Can I play free online poker games in the US?
Yes, most USA online gambling sites offer free online poker options and free online video poker games if you’re looking to learn how to play before making your first deposit and play online poker for real money .
What bonuses are available to first-time depositors?
Plenty. Virtually every poker site has a different welcome bonus as well as special promotions that will appeal to different player types.
Whether you prefer online poker tournaments or are a fan of playing cash games online for real money, you’re sure to get some bonus money at nearly every site as a first-time player. Take some time to check out our poker site reviews to learn which site is best for you.
What is a Freeroll poker tournament?
A freeroll tournament is an online poker tournament that costs no money to enter – it’s free – but you can win cash prizes. These freeroll events are often accessible only to new players, as poker sites like to welcome those who register with them for the first time with a way to make money quickly.
Freeroll events are great value and should be played if you’ve just joined a poker site. Bear in mind that many players will treat the ticket almost with disregard due to the cost of entry, but the value of free money means that you should bring your A-Game. If you do, they’re a great way to make money playing poker for free.
