The increasing popularity of poker has spawned several poker game variants that players enjoy online and in live tournaments. Each variant has its own rules and gameplay dynamics. While the game structure remains almost the same, these poker variants differ in pace, stakes, and prize structure. This blog will explore some of the most fun poker variations you can learn and enjoy on Natural8 India.
List of Poker Game Variants
Learn more about your favorite poker game variants – from Texas Hold’em to Spin & Gold. Without further delay, let’s dive in.
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em barely needs an introduction. It is one of the most popular poker variants in India and the world. One of the reasons it is so popular is that it is easy to learn compared to other poker variants. Hold’em has straightforward rules and the strategy revolves around constructing the best hand by combining private and community cards.
In the late 20s, this variant gained significant popularity and has become a common format in both live and online poker.
Texas Hold’em features several betting rounds – pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. The ultimate goal is to create the best five-card hand using any combination of private and community cards.
Pot-Limit Omaha
Pot-Limit Omaha falls right beside Texas Hold’em in popularity. This poker game variant has a pot limit that players cannot exceed. Unlike in No Limit Hold'em, you won't always have the opportunity to bet your entire stack.
The concept is simple, four-hole cards are handed to each player at the beginning of each hand. Like Hold’em, the participants must make the best 5-card poker hands.
The players must use two of their hole cards and three community cards to win the round. With more cards to start each round, one must strategize their betting accordingly.
All-In or Fold
All-In or Fold (AoF) is a thrilling new poker variant where players must go all-in or fold. However, the gameplay differs between Texas Hold'em AoF and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) AoF. In Texas Hold'em, players decide to go all-in or fold based on their hole cards before the community cards (three out of five) are revealed on the table. They can use none, one, or both hole cards to form the best five-card hand.
In contrast, in AoF Pot-Limit Omaha, the three community cards are dealt with immediately after players receive their hole cards. This means players decide whether to go all-in or fold after the flop. Here, players must use two of their 4 cards to create their best hand.
Short Deck Hold’em
Short Deck is one of the poker variants of Texas Hold’em. With the changing landscape of poker, this variant has become a staple in most high-stake tournaments and cash games. When it comes to hand ranking, the Short Deck Hold’em has slightly different rules than the usual poker hand rankings.
This variation is called the Short Deck because all cards from 2 to 5 are removed from the deck. As a result, the deck only has 36 cards. Another thing to note is that, in Short Deck poker, a Flush beats a Full House.
Fewer cards mean players will have a better shot at making a strong hand faster. However, it is essential to remember that all participants have the same advantage. With fewer cards, the chances of getting higher variant cards are higher.
Rush & Cash
Rush & Cash offers a fresh twist on the traditional Hold'em and Omaha poker formats. Unlike standard games, you don't have to wait for the current hand to finish after folding. Instead, you're instantly moved to a new table to jump back into the action.
Spin & Gold
If you are into fast-paced, action-packed jackpots, Spin & Gold is one of the poker variants you cannot miss. With every entry, you stand a chance to win additional prizes daily and boost your bankroll.
To play Spin & Gold, select your desired buy-in amount. For 3-Max games, you can choose from nine different stake levels. On the other hand, for 6-Max games, there are six stake levels to choose from. Earn points, or gold, based on your stake level and final ranking.
When you play Spin & Gold on Natural8 India, the “gold” that you win will count towards your rank on the Spin & Gold Daily Leaderboard and the completion of the Spin & Gold Challenge. However, do note that the rate of accumulation for each depends on the promotion.
Mystery Battle Royale
Battle Royale is the ultimate action-packed poker experience, combining multiple exciting poker formats into a fast-paced Sit & Go tournament. It offers the intensity of Rush & Cash, the thrill of Shootout rounds, and the chance to collect bounties for extra rewards. Here’s how to play Battle Royale:
Stage 1: Survive to the Top 918 players enter the Rush Zone, where the game begins. Here, they compete on 5-Ring Rush & Cash tables for 10 minutes. The goal is to be among the Top 9 players when the time runs out. If there are more than nine players at the end of the 10 minutes, all of them will be placed in an All-In Shootout.
Stage 3: The Final TableThe Final Table will follow a KO Bounty format, where all nine players have the opportunity to win a Mystery Jackpot Bounty. As the game progresses, the blinds will steadily increase, adding pressure and excitement. Ultimately, the prize pool will be divided among the top three finishers, ensuring that the best players are rewarded for their performance.
Conclusion
Poker is not just about winning money - it is about the thrill of the game and the challenges it presents. To transition into a seasoned player, you must master the skill and strategy. You can hone your skills by playing several poker variants in India. Go to the Natural8 India website and practice your hand to become the next poker sensation.
