The origins of poker are still up for debate. Some historians link it to the Persian game As Nas, while others argue it evolved from the French game Poque. What’s certain is that poker, as we know it, was first documented in the United States during the 1800s.
As the game spread across different regions, it adapted to local rules and preferences, gradually shaping what we now recognize as official casino poker. With the rise of the internet, poker has entered yet another phase of evolution, spawning unique variations and hybrid formats on online poker platforms.
Despite these innovations, most poker games still fall under three main categories. Each has distinct rules, a unique structure, and a playstyle that sets it apart.
The first category is community card games, arguably the most popular form of poker today. These were among the earliest to gain traction online, especially in free poker rooms, and remain a favorite among internet players worldwide. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the two most well-known games in this group.
In community card games, players share a set of face-up cards while also holding private “hole” cards. The game unfolds over multiple betting rounds, with community cards revealed in stages. The first three appear in the “flop,” followed by the “turn” (a fourth card) and the “river” (the fifth and final community card). Players must combine these shared cards with their own to build the strongest five-card hand.
The second category is draw poker. Here, all cards are private, and players have the option to exchange some or all of their cards to improve their hand. A typical draw game starts with each player receiving five face-down cards. Unlike community card poker, players rely entirely on their own hands, hoping that a well-timed swap will bring better cards. One of the most recognizable games in this category is Five-Card Draw, which remains popular online.
The third category is stud poker. Unlike draw poker, there are no exchanges, and in contrast to community card games, each player’s hand is individual. In stud games like Seven-Card Stud, cards are dealt in a sequence, with some face-up for everyone to see and others kept private. These exposed cards, known as “streets” or “roads,” add a layer of strategy since players can partially gauge their opponents’ potential hands.
While these three branches define poker’s core structure, the game continues to evolve. New variants and hybrid formats emerge constantly, ensuring that poker remains as dynamic as ever.
