Top 7 Popular and Easy Poker Games for Beginners to Play

If you’re stepping into the vibrant world of poker, you’re likely to find a broad spectrum of games, each with its unique twist and strategies. Let’s make your initiation into poker a bit smoother with this comprehensive guide featuring seven popular and easy-to-learn games suitable for novices.

Texas Hold ‘em

Arguably the most renowned variant of poker, Texas Hold ‘em, deserves the spotlight as the first game on our list. Players receive two private cards (known as «hole cards») and share five community cards dealt face-up on the «board.» The objective is to combine your cards with the community cards to form the best possible five-card poker hand.

Every round in Texas Hold ‘em unravels with four stages of betting: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. With its easy-to-understand rules and engaging gameplay, Texas Hold ‘em offers beginners an excellent entry point into poker. However, if one chooses to play poker online, it’s essential to search for a platform that offers bonuses and promotional codes. One such platform is BetMGM casino.

Omaha

Next in line is Omaha, a dynamic poker variant that’s strikingly similar to Texas Hold ‘em but carries its unique nuances. Omaha typically deals four hole cards to each player, with five community cards displayed on the board. However, unlike Texas Hold ‘em, players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards to create a five-card hand.

This minor twist enriches Omaha’s gameplay, fostering strategic depth while preserving simplicity—perfect for beginners seeking to diversify their poker repertoire.

Seven-Card Stud

Before the rise of community card games like Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha, Seven-Card Stud ruled the roost. This poker variant deals each player seven cards throughout the hand, three face-down, and four face-up. The aim is to forge the best possible five-card hand from these seven cards.

Seven-Card Stud does away with community cards, thus lending the game a distinctive appeal. It’s a tad more complex than the previous two games but remains a manageable challenge for beginners.

Five-Card Draw

On the simpler end of the poker spectrum lies the Five-Card Draw, arguably the best variant for newcomers. As the name suggests, each player receives five cards face down. They can discard any number of cards and draw new ones from the deck to form the best possible hand.

Although less strategic than other variants, Five-Card Draw provides an excellent grasp of basic poker principles, making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Razz

Razz is a fascinating twist on Seven-Card Stud. While the dealing mechanism remains the same, Razz’s objective flips traditional poker on its head: players aim to form the lowest possible five-card hand from their seven cards.

Despite seeming daunting at first, Razz remains a beginner-friendly variant, offering a fresh perspective on poker while reinforcing fundamental concepts of the game.

HORSE

HORSE takes you on a carousel ride through five poker variants: Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Eight-or-better (a.k.a. Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo). Each game is played in rotation, switching every time the dealer button completes a full circuit.

HORSE can appear intimidating due to its composite nature. However, it’s a fantastic opportunity for beginners to explore various poker variants in one setting, hence its inclusion in our list.

Pineapple

Rounding off our list is Pineapple, a fun twist on Texas Hold ‘em. Pineapple follows the same betting structure as Hold ‘em but begins with three hole cards. Players must discard one before the flop, returning to the familiar territory of two hole cards.

Pineapple’s simple alteration adds an extra layer of strategy, making it an intriguing variant for beginners to try after mastering Texas Hold ‘em.

The Bottom Line

And so we’ve arrived at the end of our guide. These seven poker games offer a superb foundation for your poker journey. Remember, the essence of poker lies in its combination of skill, strategy, and a tad of luck. As you pick up these games, you’ll begin to understand and appreciate the beauty of this timeless card game.

Remember, everyone’s a beginner at first, and it’s perfectly okay not to grasp everything in one go. Don’t be too hard on yourself; poker is, after all, a game. Have fun and enjoy the ride as you climb the ladder of poker mastery.