You can play lots of different types of poker games at online casinos or poker sites. They host a busy schedule of poker cash games and tournaments, which allow you to compete against rival players. You can also play table poker games such as Caribbean Poker and Oasis Poker against the house.
This guide breaks down the various types of poker games available online. We will help you find online poker games that suit your level of expertise, and we will highlight the best sites for playing poker games online.
These are some of the most common types of poker games available online. You can play these games on your computer, iPhone, or Android phone at the sites we have recommended.
Poker Game | Description | Where to Play |
---|---|---|
Pai Gow Poker | This game is loosely based on Pai Gow, a Chinese dominoes game. It is played with a standard 52-card deck, and the aim is to build better hands than the dealer. | DuckyLuck |
Caribbean Poker | A casino poker game in which you compete against the house. You are dealt five cards, and you can either fold or raise. Payouts can range from 1:1 to 100:1, according to the strength of your hand. | Wild Casino |
Oasis Poker | You can exchange cards to improve your hand when playing this casino poker game. Once again, you have the option to fold or continue the game against the dealer. | Super Slots |
Triple Edge Poker | A table poker game whereby players compete against the dealer, using three separate hands. This game offers a range of popular side bets for additional winnings. | High Roller Casino |
Texas Hold’em | The most popular community poker game, in which players aim to build the best five-card hand, using two hole cards and five community cards. | Bovada |
Omaha Hi/Lo | Another community poker variant in which the pot is split between the highest and lowest qualifying hands. This offers two ways to win each hand. | Ignition |
There are two key options at your disposal when you visit the best poker sites:
If you opt to compete against rival players at an online poker room, there are two main formats to consider:
There are also different types of poker games:
Most online poker sites focus on community card games, such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo. Other important factors to consider include:
If you opt to play against the house, you also have two clear options:
You don’t need to bluff when you play against the casino. Just try to build the best hand possible, and if you win, your payout will be determined by the strength of your hand. You can play casino poker games whenever you like, as you do not need to wait for a seat to become available at a table.
Different Types of Poker Games for BeginnersBeginners should steer clear of challenging games such as H.O.R.S.E. or Badugi. They require a deep understanding of poker fundamentals, as well as advanced strategies specific to each variant.
Our experts at Gamblingsites.org suggest these as the best poker games online for newcomers:
This is a simple casino poker game, which is very easy for newcomers to understand. Start by placing an initial bet, which is called the ante. You will be dealt three cards, and the dealer will receive three cards face down.
At this point, you can either fold or bet. If you decide to bet, you will need to place a wager equal to the size of your initial ante bet. There are then three possible outcomes:
This is a very straightforward game. If you learn to play Three Card Poker, other forms of table poker should also come naturally to you.
This game is similar to Five Card Stud, but you play against the house instead of rival players at a table. The format is pretty much the same as Three Card Poker, but you are dealt five cards instead of three.
If your play bet wins, your payout will be determined by the strength of your hand. If you have a high card or a pair, you’ll be paid out at 1:1. Two pairs will earn you a 2:1 payout, three of a kind provides a 3:1 payout, and so on.
If you get a Royal Flush, you will be paid out at 100:1. The paytable will be displayed clearly on the screen, so it is very easy to follow.
This is the easiest poker game for beginners. It does not require any strategy whatsoever. You are simply dealt three cards, and you will be paid out if you receive a strong hand. The payout is 2:1 on a pair, 5:1 on a flush, 6:1 on a straight, 30:1 on three of a kind, and 50:1 on a straight flush.
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker variant in the world. It is widely played in both casual and competitive settings. The straightforward rules and accessible gameplay make it an excellent choice for beginners.
Each player is dealt two cards, which nobody else at the table can see. Five community cards are dealt face-up on the table. You use the community cards and your private cards, known as your hole cards, to create the best possible five-card hand. The game features four betting rounds, and you can bet, raise, call or fold during each round.
Omaha is similar to Texas Hold’em, but players receive four hole cards instead of two. While it is slightly more complex than Hold’em, Omaha is nevertheless one of the easiest online poker games for beginners to grasp.
The main difference is that you must use exactly two of your hole cards and three of the community cards to create your five-card hand. Once again, there are four betting rounds, and the remaining player with the best hand wins.
Bovada and Ignition are the busiest online poker rooms for players in North America. Both sites also offer a wide range of table poker and video poker games, alongside a busy schedule of poker tournaments and cash games.
The same is true of BetOnline and Everygame, which both offer online casinos and poker rooms rolled into one. Meanwhile, sites like Wild Casino purely focus on table poker and video poker games, which are played against the house, but Wild Casino offers an exceptionally broad variety of those games.
These are the best sites for anyone seeking a wide range of online poker games:
Site | Specialty | Link |
---|---|---|
Bovada | Best Poker Room for Texas Hold’em Tournaments | Read our Bovada Review |
Everygame Poker | Best Online Poker Room for Beginners | Read our Everygame Review |
Ignition | Top Poker Site for Bonuses | Read our Ignition Casino Review |
BetOnline | Best Poker Site for Mobile Players | Read our BetOnline Review |
Wild Casino | Best Online Casino for Table Poker Games | Read our Wild Casino Review |
Please gamble responsibly when playing online poker games. Even the world’s best poker players cannot guarantee success, so do not play with money you cannot afford to lose. If you are spending too much time and money playing online poker and find it difficult to stop, that could indicate a gambling addiction, and these sites can help:
Poker Games SummaryThe best online gambling sites offer several different types of poker games. You can play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo at the best online poker rooms, which host a huge array of tournaments and cash games each day. They cover lots of different formats and betting structures, ensuring there is something for everyone.
You can also play casino poker games such as Caribbean Poker, Three Card Poker, Oasis Poker, and Pai Gow Poker against the house whenever you like. Just make sure you sign up with a trusted, secure, and reputable online poker site. The best poker sites include Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline and Everygame, and you can claim large welcome bonuses at those sites by following the links on this page.
Isaac E. Payne is an experienced technical blogger, creative writer, and lead content manager at GamblingNerd.com. As a published author, he enjoys finding interesting and exciting ways to cover any topic. In his four years on the team, he has covered online gambling and sports betting and excelled at reviewing casino sites. In his free time, he enjoys playing blackjack and reading science fiction.