There is a great deal more to playing poker than Texas hold 'em, but this is without doubt the most popular form of the game played worldwide currently. When you are playing poker online the same applies, but, there are more variations of poker than immediately meets the eye. Don't get us wrong however, one of the best games for beginners to begin with, is definitely Texas Hold 'em. As far as poker variations go, this is one of the newer kids in town, but the classic form of this game is probably the also popular Stud Poker.

Stud poker was the most popular poker game played at one point, but was quickly knocked off its pedestal by the rise and rise of Texas Hold 'em. Stud is the game you will find playing at kitchen tables with family and friends across the world, where they have not learned about Texas Hold 'em and Omaha poker as yet. There are many variations of Stud poker, with the most common three being:

1. 7 Card Stud
2. 7 Card Stud Hi Lo
3. 5 Card Stud

There are no community cards used in this game and the players are each dealt 7 cards for example, when they are playing 7 Card Stud. Two cards are dealt face-down and five cards are dealt face-up as the game progresses. The aim of the game is like any game of poker; to make the best and most valuable poker hand using classic poker hand rankings. Find 7 Card Stud played online at sites such as PokerStars, 888 Poker, Bodog, Party Poker, PKR and many more.

HORSE is another name we often see mentioned at poker sites online. This is the ultimate test of a players' skill. What it does is combine a variation of different games: 'H' stands for Texas Hold 'em, 'O' is for Omaha, 'R' is for Razz, 'S' stands for 7 Card Stud, and 'E' is the tail end of the horse, for a variation of 7 Card Stud - of the Eight or Better variety. The structure of this multi-game version of poker makes it idea for tournament play, and again you will find it online at the very good sites – generally in ring and tournament format. It is not a game for the faint of heart, because it is no joke to be playing with Omaha strategy when you are playing 7 Card Stud. Just make sure you know the rules of each game and can swap comfortably without thinking too much.

We mentioned Razz when talking about HORSE; this is also a form of stud poker, but played for the best lowest hand. You may also come across Badugi which is draw poker and only four cards are used. It is this that makes it unique in the formation of ranking hands. Sorry, we have also not mentioned draw poker yet, but check it out for yourself – they say in poker, you never stop learning – so, just don't stop!