Community Card Poker Variations
The games listed on this page have one common trait. Players share a set of cards that are placed in the center of the table, face up. These cards are known as "community" cards or "board" cards.
Instead of having a set of cards that belong to them and them alone, each player has a pair of "hole" cards that they keep to themselves. From there, they build their hand by combining their hole cards with the cards the community cards in an effort to build the best (or worst) hand.
In these games, there is an underlying basic gameplay. The players are all dealt a pair of hole cards, and a round of "pre-flop" betting takes place. Then, the dealer turns over a set of three cards, face up. This is the first of three times the dealer adds community cards to the board.
The flop consists of three cards. It is followed by a round of betting, and then the addition of a single "Turn" card to the board. Another round of betting takes place, and then a final "River" card is added to the board.
Most poker games award the pot to the highest hand at the Showdown. These games are no exception, as texas holdem, omaha, and crazy pineapple generally award at least half of the pot to the high hand.
Omaha and Crazy Pineapple are also commonly (perhaps more often than not) played in a high/lo manner. In these games, the pot is split between the highest hand and the lowest "qualifying" hand at the Showdown. For more information on Qualifying Low Hands, their ranks, and their tie-breakers, check my Hi Low Hand Values page.
Also, these games are played in different betting styles. For example, the common betting style of Omaha Hi/Lo is Pot Limit.
Unknown Poker offers real player