The History of Poker Variant Games: From Seven-Card Stud to Pineapple

Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, played by millions of people in both casual and professional settings. While Texas Hold’em is perhaps the most well-known variant of poker, there are actually many different types of poker games that have been played over the years. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of some of the most popular poker variants, from Seven-Card Stud to Pineapple.

Seven-Card Stud

Seven-Card Stud is one of the oldest and most traditional forms of poker. It was the most popular poker game in the United States before Texas Hold’em became popular in the 1970s. In Seven-Card Stud, players are dealt seven cards, but only the best five-card hand counts. Betting rounds occur after each card is dealt, and the game can be played with up to eight players.

Omaha

Omaha is a variant of poker that is similar to Texas Hold’em, but with a few key differences. In Omaha, players are dealt four cards instead of two, and they must use two of those cards along with three community cards to make their best hand. This means that there are more possible hand combinations in Omaha than in Hold’em. Omaha is a popular game in both cash game and tournament formats.

Razz

Razz is a lowball poker game, which means the goal is to make the lowest possible hand. In Razz, players are dealt seven cards, but only the lowest five-card hand counts. Straights and flushes don’t count against the player, and aces are always low. Razz is a popular game in mixed-game formats, where players switch between different types of poker games.

Stud Hi-Lo

Stud Hi-Lo, also known as Eight-or-Better, is another popular lowball poker game. In this game, the pot is split between the player with the highest hand and the player with the lowest hand. To qualify for the low hand, a player must have five cards that are all eight or lower. If no player has a qualifying low hand, the entire pot goes to the player with the highest hand. Stud Hi-Lo is a common game in mixed-game formats.

Pineapple

Pineapple is a variant of Texas Hold’em that is similar to Omaha. In Pineapple, players are dealt three cards instead of two, but they must discard one of those cards before the flop. This means that there are more possible hand combinations in Pineapple than in Hold’em, but fewer than in Omaha. Pineapple is a popular game in both cash game and tournament formats.

These are just a few of the many different types of poker games that have been played over the years. Each game has its own unique rules and strategies, and players often specialize in one or more variants. Whether you’re a casual player or a professional, there’s always something new to learn in the world of poker.