THE POKER
MULTIVERSE
Explore Every World of Poker
Travel beyond the familiar tables and explore the incredible variety of poker. Discover the rules, hand rankings, betting structures, and unique mechanics of poker games from around the universe.
Every Game. Every Rule. Every Universe.Choose a path through the game.
Each destination is a game family. Its published guides explain the deal, betting, showdown, and the rule that makes it different.
The Hold'em Galaxy
Two private cards, a shared board, and four betting rounds. Begin here to learn the language of modern poker.
Explore world ↗02 / 2 GUIDESMore cards, exact combinationsThe Omaha Nebula
Four or more private cards create action, but every final hand must use exactly two of them.
Explore world ↗03 / 2 GUIDESRead the exposed cardsThe Stud Constellation
Antes, a bring-in, and streets of upcards reward close attention to what everyone can see.
Explore world ↗04 / 3 GUIDESLowest winsThe Lowball Dimension
Reverse familiar instincts: unpaired low cards can be powerful, but ranking systems differ.
Explore world ↗05 / 2 GUIDESChange your handThe Draw Poker Realm
Choose cards to discard, draw replacements, and interpret what an opponent kept.
Explore world ↗06 / 2 GUIDESOne table, many rulesThe Mixed Games Universe
Rotating formats test whether you can switch ranking and betting rules at the right moment.
Explore world ↗07 / 1 GUIDEA smaller deck changes everythingThe Short Deck Galaxy
Six-plus Hold'em removes low cards and changes important hand-ranking details.
Explore world ↗08 / 1 GUIDEFamiliar foundations, new mechanicsThe Specialty Worlds
Established variations add a distinctive dealing rule to a game you already know.
Explore world ↗The community-card frontier
Two private cards, a shared board, and four betting rounds. Begin here to learn the language of modern poker.
More cards, exact combinations
Four or more private cards create action, but every final hand must use exactly two of them.
Read the exposed cards
Antes, a bring-in, and streets of upcards reward close attention to what everyone can see.
Lowest wins
Reverse familiar instincts: unpaired low cards can be powerful, but ranking systems differ.
Change your hand
Choose cards to discard, draw replacements, and interpret what an opponent kept.
One table, many rules
Rotating formats test whether you can switch ranking and betting rules at the right moment.
A smaller deck changes everything
Six-plus Hold'em removes low cards and changes important hand-ranking details.
Familiar foundations, new mechanics
Established variations add a distinctive dealing rule to a game you already know.
Find your next universe.
Search published guides, narrow by game family, then open a complete rules page.
14 published guides
Texas Hold'em
The foundational community-card game: two private cards, five shared cards, and the best five-card high hand.
2 private · 5 board · No-limit, pot-limit, or fixed-limitEnter this game ↗Pot-Limit Omaha
Four hole cards and five community cards, with exactly two hole cards required in every final hand.
4 private · 5 board · Pot-limitEnter this game ↗Omaha Hi-Lo Eight or Better
Omaha's exactly-two-card rule meets a split pot: the best high and qualifying eight-or-better low can share it.
4 private · 5 board · Fixed-limit, pot-limit, or no-limit by tableEnter this game ↗Seven-Card Stud
A classic high-hand game with antes, a bring-in, visible upcards, and no community board.
7 over the hand: 3 down, 4 up private · 0 normally board · Usually fixed-limitEnter this game ↗Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo
Stud's upcard puzzle with separate high and eight-or-better low halves.
7 over the hand: 3 down, 4 up private · 0 normally board · Usually fixed-limitEnter this game ↗Razz
Seven-card stud played for the lowest ace-to-five hand, with no eight-or-better qualifier.
7 over the hand: 3 down, 4 up private · 0 normally board · Usually fixed-limitEnter this game ↗2-7 Triple Draw
A lowball draw game with three opportunities to replace cards; aces, straights, and flushes work against you.
5 private · 0 board · Usually fixed-limitEnter this game ↗2-7 Single Draw
One draw, two betting rounds, and the same deuce-to-seven low ranking used in Triple Draw.
5 private · 0 board · Often no-limit; verify the tableEnter this game ↗Five-Card Draw
A private five-card hand, one replacement draw, and a final betting round.
5 private · 0 board · Fixed-limit, pot-limit, or no-limit by tableEnter this game ↗Badugi
A four-card low draw game where every card must have a different rank and suit to make a complete Badugi.
4 private · 0 board · Usually fixed-limitEnter this game ↗H.O.R.S.E.
A rotation of five limit games: Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi-Lo.
Changes with the active game private · Changes with the active game board · Usually fixed-limit rotationEnter this game ↗8-Game Mix
A published eight-game rotation combining limit draw, Hold'em, Omaha, and stud with no-limit and pot-limit rounds.
Changes with the active game private · Changes with the active game board · Six limit games plus No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit OmahaEnter this game ↗Short Deck (6+) Hold'em
A 36-card Hold'em format without ranks two through five, with venue-specific forced bets and altered rankings.
2 private · 5 board · Often no-limit; verify the tableEnter this game ↗Courchevel
A five-card Omaha variant that reveals the first flop card before the preflop betting round.
5 private · 5 board · Limit, pot-limit, or no-limit by tableEnter this game ↗See what actually changes.
Choose two or three games. The table compares the rules that matter before you sit down.
| Rule | Texas Hold'em ↗ | Pot-Limit Omaha ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| Private cards | 2 | 4 |
| Community cards | 5 | 5 |
| Betting rounds | 4 | 4 |
| Betting structure | No-limit, pot-limit, or fixed-limit | Pot-limit |
| Forced bets | Small blind and big blind; some events add antes | Small blind and big blind |
| Ranking profile | high | high |
| Typical players | Usually 2–10; venue limits vary | Usually 2–9 |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
Venue procedures and limit sizes can differ. Open a game guide for its sourced rules and exceptions.
One game. Different hierarchies.
Switch profiles before comparing hands. High poker, lowball, Badugi, and Short Deck do not always reward the same cards.
Listed from strongest to weakest. A royal flush is the highest straight flush. Suits do not break ties in standard high poker.
- A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠Royal flushThe ace-high straight flush.
- 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit.
- Q♠Q♥Q♦Q♣3♠Four of a kindFour cards of one rank.
- K♠K♥K♦4♣4♠Full houseThree of one rank plus a pair.
- A♦J♦8♦5♦2♦FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive.
- 9♣8♦7♥6♠5♣StraightFive consecutive ranks, not all one suit.
- 7♠7♥7♦K♣2♥Three of a kindThree cards of one rank.
- A♠A♥5♦5♣Q♠Two pairTwo distinct pairs.
- J♠J♦A♥8♣3♦One pairTwo cards of one rank.
- A♠J♦8♥5♣2♦High cardNo pair or higher category.
Learn the game. Check the table.
These are original educational explanations linked to published poker-room game rules. Poker TDA 2026 v1.1 describes tournament procedures; a venue's posted rules control its particular game, betting limits, and house variations. Each guide names its sources and review date.
View the official Poker TDA rules ↗