Texas Hold’em Poker Variations

There are many Texas hold’em poker variations across the internet. Many are played in place of Texas hold’em around card tables around the world as well as in tournaments and cash games. Texas hold’em poker requires 2-10 players where a dealer is generally determined by a high draw. The player to the left of dealer always makes the mandatory bet first and the amount of the bet is agreed upon before play begins. This is called the little blind bet, where the big blind bet is the second mandatory bet which is double the amount of the first or little blind bet. All players are dealt 2 cards called pocket cards, and then a round of bets takes place. There are 3 community cards dealt to the table face up called a flop then another round of betting. Then a fourth card is dealt face up and this is called the turn, then another round of betting. The final card called a river is dealt face up and a final round of betting takes place. The winner of the hand is the player that has the best hand using only 5 of the 7 cards using the standard poker rankings.

Church is a Texas hold’em poker variation where all players get 5 pocket cards, not 2. The 5 cards dealt to the table are in the shape of a cross all face down. Every round requires a card to be turned over starting with the furthest North position and moves clockwise with the middle card being turned over last. After every card is turned, bets are taken. The winner is again the player with the best 5 card hand. However, a player can only use 3 of their cards in the cross and they all have to be in a row and not in separate corners.

The elevator is yet another Texas hold’em poker variation where only 4 pocket cards are given with half face up and half face down to all players. Community cards are placed in a capital H formation. Players then make the best 5 card hand using only 3 table cards. The name comes from the fact that a player can move the middle card in the H up or down to create their hand. The players can only use cards on the table in a row that is 3 across, no random cards can be used.

Double flop hold’em is the third most popular Texas hold’em poker variation. It requires the use of two boards or community card groups. All players have 2 pocket cards and have to make the best 5 card hand. Players can’t tell which board they are trying to win with until the very last bet is placed, so it is possible to have 2 different winners, one for each board being played.

With the different variations of Texas hold’em poker games available, it may be confusing which is being played. Remember that unless otherwise stated, all the games above follow Texas hold’em rules and regulations.