Poker comes in a marvelous variety of game forms, each with its own rules, strategy, and pitfalls. Texas Hold’em is perhaps the most famous, but there are plenty of other variations that provide intriguing twists on most elements of your poker skills. Here, we take a look at some of the lesser known poker variations, as uncovered by professional poker player Sorel Mizzi.
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
More complicated than Texas Hold’em but with the same game, Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is dealt four hole cards instead of two. Players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards to make the best possible hand. Pot-limit betting allows players to bet the size of the pot available. “In Pot-Limit Omaha, you need to adapt your betting strategy based on the size of the pot,” Sorel Mizzi says. “You can’t just play solid hands; reading your opponents and understanding the pot dynamics is very important.”
No-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
No-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw is a lowball poker game in which the objective is to create the worst possible hand. Straights and flushes are undesirable, and aces are high. Five cards are dealt to each player and they have three draws to accept new ones. Mizzi advises, “Lowball poker is different. You can’t play it like you would a normal high-hand game. Always keep in mind, it’s a matter of staying away from high cards and reducing the risk of getting caught.”
Chinese Poker
In Chinese Poker, you are dealt 13 cards and must match them into three hands: two five-card hands and one three-card hand. The goal is to create good hands in each of the three arrangements to beat your opponent’s hands. “Chinese Poker is not about having good cards,” Mizzi says. “You must get creative with your hand combinations and try to anticipate what your opponent is going to play. It’s a puzzle game within a game.”
6+ Hold’em – Short Deck
6+ Hold’em, or Short Deck, drops cards 2-5, so it’s simpler to create good hands. Full houses are below flushes in Short Deck, and aces can be used low in straights. The change speeds up the game with more random outcomes. “In Short Deck, you have to change the way you rank hands,” Mizzi says. “A flush beats a full house, so you have to play each hand differently.”
Mexican Stud
Mexican Stud marries the action of Seven-Card Stud with the betting strategy of Texas Hold’em. Two concealed cards are dealt to players, and a face-down community card is exposed after each betting round, creating suspense in the game. Sorel Mizzi advises, “Staying patient is the most important thing to becoming a master in Mexican Stud. With missing information, you should be even more cautious on the bets, especially if it is face down.”
In Summary
Regardless of whether you like the intricacies of Pot-Limit Omaha, the lowball test of 2-7 Triple Draw, or the artistry of Chinese Poker, these poker variants will hone your game and expand your understanding of the game. According to Mizzi, “Playing these variants keeps your poker skills sharp in the ever-evolving landscape of poker.” By playing them, you will be a better rounded player.