2019 WSOP – Hold ’em, Omaha & More

The 2019 WSOP is underway, and while Hold ‘Em is the classic game people think of, it’s not the only one that’s played. There are several different poker events, and each one has its own quirks. Texas Hold ‘Em, of course, has two pocket cards and a board comprised of five community cards, but there are several offshoots.

Among those offshoots at Omaha and Hi-Lo 8 or better, games that play with the classic conventions. Then, there are sub-games of Hold ‘Em, such as limit vs. no-limit. Before we get to the games

If you’ve watched movies in which poker is played, you’re probably already familiar with Hold ‘Em. If you’ve played games like “Red Dead Redemption,” you’ve lived it. Texas Hold ‘Em is a simple game to learn and a difficult game to master. Players are dealt two pocket cards, and five community cards make up a board. Players then use the board to make a hand of five with their pocket cards. No-limit Hold ‘Em is generally played at the WSOP, meaning that there’s no cap on what players can bet.

Omaha is a variant of Texas Hold ‘Em. The idea is similar, only players get four hole cards dealt to them instead of two. However, they can only use two of those cards mixed with five on the board to make a hand. The extra strategy comes in knowing that some cards are already off the board based on what players have in their hands.

Omaha Hi-Lo results in a split pot. Normal Omaha conventions still apply, but with a Hi-Lo split, the low split is tricky. The high is the same — the best hand wins half the pot.

Finally, we have 7 card stud. The easy way to remember this game is “two down, four up, one down.” Players get dealt two down cards before getting an up card. Betting begins with the lowest up-card. After that, play resumes as normal, with players getting three more cards dealt face-up. Betting begins with the best poker hand. When the hand is over, players use five of the seven they were dealt to make the best hand possible.

So now even the novice card player should be ready to enjoy the 2019 WSOP, in person or on television!

Read more at the CBS Sports