If you’ve exclusively played hold’em throughout your online poker career, there are several other games that you’re neglecting. Sure, you’ll probably become successful at hold’em, but you’re missing out on the other fish in the sea. Two games that are a “must” for poker enthusiasts everywhere are Omaha and Seven Card Stud. OK, maybe you’ve seen your grandmother hustling her friends in Stud. Tell her to head to Las Vegas, where the game is spread in just about every casino card room. Here’s a quick guide to get you started in Omaha or Stud. However, you’ll definitely want to seek the advice of established pros or check out a book at your local library to get yourself versed on each game.

Overview of Omaha

In Omaha, players are dealt four cards face down. Just like in hold’em, these can only be used only by the player. Strong starting hands include two pairs (like K-K-A-A) or suited connectors (like 9-10 of hearts and K-A of diamonds). Five community cards are placed face up in the middle of the table in the same sequence as in Texas Hold’em. A round of betting occurs after every street. Your goal is to make the best five card poker hand using exactly two of your hole cards and exactly three of the community cards.

As a consequence of having to use exactly two of your hole cards, a starting hand like 4-4-4-A, though it might seem strong, is at best just a pair of fours. The third four is nothing more than another card. Similarly, starting hands like 6-7-8-9 of spades are also nothing more than a pair of straight and flush draws. In both circumstances, “outs” to make your hand are also taken away because you already hold them and can’t use them.

If you’re a beginner, stick to Omaha high. Other variations include Omaha Eight or Better, In this style of Omaha, the pot is split 50-50 at the end of the hand between the high hand at the table and the low hand, provided the low hand qualifies by being no better than eight high.

Overview of Stud

While there are several different types of Stud that are played today, this section will focus on the seven card variety. Three cards are dealt to each player. Two of them are face down and one is face up. The next three cards are all dealt face up to each player, with a round of betting occurring after each card. The seventh card is dealt face down and a final round of betting occurs. The player with the best five card poker hand wins. Every single card in Stud can only be used by the player it’s sitting in front of; there are no community cards. Three of your cards are face down; four are face up.

Just like in hold’em, you can see some of the cards in other players’ hands. The dilemma in Stud is being able to determine what each player holds as their down cards. If a player’s visible cards are A-A-7-7, your hand must beat two pair in order to be a winner. If not, you either have to bluff a player into thinking you hold a better hand or fold. Being able to exploit the four cards you’re showing to the rest of the table is of the utmost importance. The only way to bluff a player off two pair is to make them think you’re holding a hand like a flush, for example. Having three spades showing would help you pull off this chicanery. The bottom line is that Stud is all about trickery.

Other variations of Stud include Eight or Better (the “E” in HORSE), where the best and worst hand at the end of the day split the pot. Make sure to know what type of Stud you’re playing before you sit down at a table.