Poker has been around for a long time and is the most exciting game in the world of gambling. But which variant is the best?
In 2024, the landscape of poker continues to diversify, offering players numerous choices, particularly in the case of online poker.
Here we will explore what we think are the top five poker variants that are capturing the attention of players around the globe, from experienced pros to recreational players who only recently discovered the game.
No-Limit Texas Hold’em
No-Limit Texas Hold’em remains the most popular poker variant worldwide, celebrated for its strategic depth and exciting gameplay, in both cash game and tournament form.
It is easily the most visible poker variant when it comes to TV poker and live streams.
Known as the “Cadillac of poker”, it is also the variant that most players learn first, in the modern era, and the only one that has ever graced the World Series of Poker Main Event.
Gameplay Mechanics
The beauty of NL hold’em lies in its simplicity combined with complexity of strategy. Players can bet any amount of their chips at any time, which introduces an element of risk and reward that constantly keeps players on their toes.
The game also requires a keen understanding of position. Where a player sits in relation to others at the table is a key consideration when it comes to deciding which action to take.
Strategic Depth
Successful NL hold’em players must master several fundamental skills to become a winning player. These include basic hand reading, bluffing, and understanding pot odds.
But to progress beyond the microstakes, a lot more work is needed. This is a game where “bet when you have a good hand and don’t bluff weak players when you don’t” is only enough to get you started.
As players progress in skill level, they must learn to adapt their strategies based on their opponents’ tendencies, making each hand a unique challenge.
In this GTO solver era, players not only need to learn how to exploit their opponents but also understand the game from a theoretical perspective.
Pot-Limit Omaha – PLO
Pot-limit Omaha has long been as a close second to NL hold’em in terms of popularity. Known for its action-packed nature and complex strategies, PLO offers players a different experience while retaining familiar elements from its NL cousin.
Gameplay Mechanics
In PLO, each player is dealt four hole cards instead of two. To form their best hand, players must use exactly two of these hole cards in combination with three of the five community cards.
The pot limit betting structure means that players can only bet up to the current size of the pot.
But even though this prevents wild jamming in the early streets, the game still traditionally sees more significant swings in fortunes as the equities run closer than in NL hold’em. In many cases there is no clear favourite when the chips go in before the river.
Strategic Considerations
The complexity of PLO arises from the increased number of possible hand combinations due to having four hole cards.
Understanding implied odds becomes crucial as well. Because pots can grow quickly, players often find themselves in situations where they need to commit more chips than they initially planned.
Not a game for the faint-hearted!
No-Limit Short Deck Poker (6+ Hold’em)
Short Deck Poker is an innovative variant that has gained immense popularity among high-stakes players in recent years.
Played with a reduced deck consisting of only 36 cards — removing all cards below six — this variant offers a fresh take on traditional NL hold’em.
Gameplay Mechanics
Similar to NL hold’em, short deck NL features two hole cards and five community cards. However, because certain low-ranking hands are removed from play, the hand rankings change slightly.
For example, a flush now beats a full house due to fewer available cards.
Popularity
The game has become particularly popular in Asia and is increasingly featured in major tournaments worldwide.
Its fast-paced nature and unique strategies attract both casual players looking for excitement and high-stakes pros seeking new challenges from a fresh variant that is much less studied than other games.
Eight Game
For players who enjoy variety and want to test their skills across multiple formats, Eight-game offers an exciting solution — simply switching to a different game every few rounds.
Eight Game includes:
- NL hold’em
- Pot-limit Omaha
- Limit hold’em
- Omaha Hi-Lo
- Seven card stud
- Seven card stud Hi-Lo
- Razz
- 2-7 Triple Draw
Playing eight games on rotation is one sure fire way to ensure that nobody ever gets bored. It also forces players to be constantly aware when switching strategies between each one.
This mix not only enhances overall poker skills but also keeps gameplay fresh and engaging.
Spin & Gold Tournaments on GGPoker
Spin & Gold tournaments have revolutionised the way many casual players approach poker.
These fast-paced tournaments with either three or six players offer an exciting blend of luck and strategy with a twist: a random prize pool multiplier that can pay out massive prizes on occasion.
Sit & Go tournaments were massively popular back in the day but as tastes changed and a new generation of players arrived, the variant started to die out with traffic numbers barely keeping the tables open.
GGPoker has changed this by adding a six-player variant to its Spin & gold offerings.
Gameplay Mechanics
In the Spin & Gold variant, players enter for a relatively low buy-in and compete against two or five opponents in a hyper-turbo format.
After registration closes, a random spinner determines the prize pool multiplier — ranging from 2x up to 200,000x — creating an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere where every decision counts.
For example, players can buy-in for a measly $0.25 and hit a prize pool of $10,000. In the $5 buy-in games you can win up to $1,000,000.
The appeal of Spin & Go tournaments lies in their quick pace and potential for massive prizes relative to the buy-in amount.
They attract recreational players who may not have time for longer sessions but still want an engaging poker experience.
The combination of fast action and high stakes makes these tournaments increasingly popular on platforms like GGPoker.
Play at GGPoker
All of the above poker variants are available on GGPoker, except Eight-Game, and there are many benefits to signing up for an account via VIP-Grinders.
Players who signup at GGPoker by using the code VIPGRINDERS will receive a 100% first-time deposit bonus up to the value of $600.
You will also get up to 60% rakeback through the generous Fish Buffet program, and access to many exclusive promotions that VIP-Grinders provides every month, such as the $250 Exclusive GGPoker Freeroll.
