I’ve been playing online poker for years now. And one thing’s clear: the type of game you choose makes a big difference. Some are slow but deep. Others are fast and wild. In this read, I’ll share my take on the variations suitable for online play.
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8 Poker Game I Keep Playing
Here’s my breakdown of the best poker variants you can play online right now. They all have their own edge (if you know how to use it).
1. Texas Hold’em – The One Everyone Starts With
This is where most players begin. It’s simple on the surface. Two hole cards, five community cards, and best hand wins.
But once you go past the basics, the skill ceiling is high. Bluffing, pot control, position – Hold’em is a thinking game.
Tip: If you’re grinding online, pay attention to bet sizing tells. A 3x raise from a tight player means something very different than from a loose one.
2. Pot-Limit Omaha – Where the Action Lives
In PLO, you get four hole cards, but you must use two (and only two) along with three from the board.
Hands run close in equity and draws are everywhere. Expect huge pots. Expect swings. But also expect weak players to overplay the top pair like it’s the nuts.
I play PLO when I want volatility. If I’m not in the mood to grind slow edges, this one brings the fireworks.
Watch out for: Drawing to weak hands. In PLO, bottom straight or baby flush often gets crushed. Play stronger combos or fold.
3. Omaha Hi-Lo – Double the Chance, Double the Mistakes
This one’s split pot: half to the best high hand, half to the best low (five cards under 8, no pairs). A lot of players mess up here. They chase a high hand only, not realizing someone else is freerolling both ends. That’s where the edge is.
I like Hi-Lo when I want a mix of math and reading players. It’s slower, but you’ll often scoop full pots if you play smart.
My move: Only enter hands where you have a shot at both ends – like A-2 suited with low backup. One-way hands bleed chips.
4. Short Deck Hold’em – All Gas, No Brakes
Also called 6+ Hold’em, this variant cuts the deck to 36 cards. No 2s through 5s. That shifts everything.
Flush beats the full house. Everyone has more strong draws. You’ll see the action even with weaker holdings because the odds run tighter.
I don’t play this as much, but it’s fun when I want a change. Hands fly fast, and the variance is real.
Heads-up advice: Don’t overvalue the top pair. Everyone hits more often, so you need to hit harder to win.
5. 7-Card Stud – Read the Board, Read the Player
Before Hold’em took over, this was the main game. No community cards. You get seven cards, some face up, some down. The best five-card hand wins.
What I like about Stud is how much info you get. You see three or four cards of your opponents. That makes hand reading easier, but also more important.
I play this when I want to slow things down and work on reads. You can’t hide bad play in Stud.
One trick: Pay attention to folded upcards. If you’re chasing a flush, make sure your suit isn’t mostly dead.
6. Razz – It’s So Bad, It’s Good
In Razz, you’re trying to make the worst possible hand – ideally A-2-3-4-5. No pairs, no flushes, no straights. It’s all about tracking live cards and stealing when others brick.
Razz tilts people. They don’t like chasing “bad” hands. That alone gives you an edge if you stay cool. I play Razz in mixed games or just for fun.
Best edge: Start with three low cards below 8. If you don’t have that, fold.
7. Five Card Draw – The OG Home Game
Here, you get five cards. You can trade some in. It’s not very deep, but it’s great when I want something chill.
Bluffing works well here because no one sees anything. It’s pure mind games. I usually play this with friends or on casual apps. Not many sharks here, which is nice.
Trick: Watch bet patterns after the draw. If someone stood pat and raises, they’re not messing around.
8. Video Poker – Fast Hands, Fixed Odds
Technically not “poker” with other people. You play against the machine. But there’s a real strategy here, especially in Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.
I play these variants when I’m in between real poker sessions. It’s fast, it’s solo, and with the right pay table, it can be +EV.
You can also explore other software providers like cq9 slot games to understand how different RNG systems work across various game types.
Simple hack: Learn the basic strategy for your variant. It’s not hard, and it cuts losses right away.
Final Thoughts: Find the Game That Gives You the Edge
Poker games vary wildly, but every variant has a sweet spot. Don’t just follow the crowd. Try a few, test what works for you, and lean into the one where you’re clearly ahead. That’s how I did it (and I still do).
