Poker Games

Learning how to play poker is fairly simple and is the first step to what promises to be a lifelong adventure on the felt. There are three categories of poker games, and you’ve reached the right place to learn the rules and start playing. PokerStars is the only poker site that offers so many games.

Flop Poker Games

These games use community cards, which are shared among all the players at the table in combination with their face down cards (called “hole cards” or “down cards”). The first three shared community cards are called the Flop, and collectively, all community cards are referred to as “the board.” Texas Hold’em is the most widely played game, while Omaha’s popularity continues to rise.

Stud Poker Games

These games differ from Flop Games in that they do not use shared community cards. In Stud Games, each player is dealt their own personal cards to use during the hand. Some of these cards are dealt face down and the rest are dealt face up and are visible to all other players at the table.

Draw Poker Games

In Draw Games, players are dealt all of their cards face down and can exchange any number of their cards for new ones in an attempt to improve their hand. Draw games are different from Flop and Stud games in that players are not able to view any part of their opponents’ holdings, and must rely on opponents’ drawing tendencies for information.

Mixed Poker Games

Mixed games are the ultimate poker challenge. You’ve got to know the rules for several games and switch your mind-set and strategies on a constant basis. These games are the ultimate test of poker skill, and just like all the games at PokerStars, you can practice for free or play for real money. PokerStars offers the mixed games below plus several more.