Regular Poker vs Texas Hold’em: What’s The Difference?

If you’re new to poker, you may have heard terms like “Texas Hold’em” and “regular poker” and wondered what sets them apart. With so many versions of poker played in the UK, it can be confusing to know where to begin.

This guide will explain how Texas Hold’em fits into the wider category of poker games. You’ll also learn how it compares with other common styles, such as Five Card Draw and Omaha. The aim is to help you understand the key differences, learn some basic rules, and feel more confident if you decide to explore poker further.

Everything is explained in plain language, with no jargon. You don’t need to know anything about casinos, card games or betting to follow along.

Is Texas Hold’em Poker?

Yes, Texas Hold’em is a form of poker. It’s the most widely played poker variation in the UK, both online and in licensed physical venues.

Poker itself is not a single game, but a group of card games. All of them share a few basic ideas: players aim to try and make the strongest five-card hand, and rounds of betting are used to decide who wins the pot (the collected bets for that round).

In Texas Hold’em, you get two private cards (called “hole cards”) that only you can see. Then, five shared cards (called “community cards”) are placed face-up on the table. All players can use those shared cards to make their hand. Your goal is to try and create the best five-card combination using any mix of your two hole cards and the five community cards.

Some people use the term “regular poker” to mean Five Card Draw, a more traditional version of the game. But at most UK poker tables, especially online, Texas Hold’em is the format you’ll probably encounter first.

The Difference Between Poker and Texas Hold’em

Poker is the broad name for a group of card games that involve trying to build the best possible hand and making decisions about betting. Texas Hold’em is just one variation within this group, and it’s currently the most common version played across the UK.

In Texas Hold’em, you receive two cards that only you can see. Then, five shared cards are dealt face-up in stages. Everyone at the table uses these shared cards to help build their best five-card hand.

Other poker versions use different setups. For example, in Five Card Draw, each player gets five private cards and can choose to swap some for new ones. In Omaha, you receive four private cards, and you must use exactly two of them, combined with exactly three of the five community cards.

Each version has its own rules and potential strategies. For instance, Omaha often creates stronger hands because you’re working with four starting cards, rather than two. This can change how people bet and how the game plays out.

Different sites and card rooms may use slightly different formats or betting structures, so it may be worth checking the rules before joining a game.

How To Play Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em is built around four rounds of betting and a series of cards being revealed. Here’s how it works:

1. Blinds: Before any cards are dealt, two players put in forced bets to start the action. These are called the small blind and the big blind. The big blind is usually double the small blind. These bets make sure there’s always something to play for.
   
2. Hole Cards: Each player receives two private cards.
   
3. The Flop: After the first round of betting, three shared cards are dealt face-up in the middle of the table.
   
4. The Turn: A fourth shared card is dealt after a second betting round.
   
5. The River: A fifth and final shared card is dealt, followed by the last round of betting.

Players can make bets during each stage. You can choose to:

• Fold: Give up your hand and any claim to the pot.
  
• Call: Match the current highest bet.
  
• Raise: Increase the size of the bet.

At the end of the final betting round, any players still in the game reveal their cards. The one with the strongest five-card hand wins the pot. In rare cases, players may have equally strong hands, and the pot is shared.

In regulated UK poker games, all betting follows strict rules. For example, there may be betting limits or table stakes. If you’re unsure, read the terms before you play.

Poker combines decision-making and understanding of hand strength, but there’s also a large element of chance. No outcome is ever certain. A strong hand can lose, and a weaker one can potentially win, depending on the cards dealt. That’s what makes it unpredictable.

Other Poker Variants

Although Texas Hold’em is widely played, there are other types of poker that offer different ways to play:

• Omaha: Players get four private cards and must use two, along with three of the five community cards. Hands tend to be higher in value due to the extra starting cards.
  
• Seven Card Stud: No shared cards are used. Each player receives seven cards (some face-up, some face-down). The best five-card hand wins.
  
• Five Card Draw: Players get five private cards and can discard and draw new ones to try and improve their hand. There are no community cards.
  
• Razz: The aim is to try and make the lowest possible five-card hand. Straights and flushes don’t count against you. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5.
  
• Omaha Hi-Lo: The pot can be split between the highest hand and the lowest qualifying hand. To qualify for a low hand, the cards must be below 8, and certain combinations apply.
  
• Pineapple: Similar to Texas Hold’em, but players get three private cards instead of two. One of these is discarded before the first betting round.
  
• Triple Draw Lowball: The goal is to try and create the lowest-value hand. Players can usually draw new cards up to three times during the hand.

Each variant has its own pace, rules, and possible strategies. Some are better suited to players who enjoy simpler decisions, while others involve more complex hand-building. There’s no version that’s better for everyone. What suits one person might not suit another.

Which Poker Game Is The Most Popular?

In the UK, Texas Hold’em is the most widely played version of poker by a large margin. It’s the standard at most licensed poker rooms, casinos, and UK Gambling Commission-approved online platforms. It also features in the majority of live-streamed poker events and international tournaments.

The game’s popularity comes from its clear structure and widely understood rules. But despite its simplicity, the number of possible card combinations and betting strategies means it still offers plenty of depth.

Omaha and other styles are available in some places, but they’re less common. Some players prefer games like Seven Card Stud or Five Card Draw because of the different tactics involved. These can sometimes be found on specialist sites, or during certain casino nights, but they typically aren’t offered as widely.

Choosing a poker game comes down to personal preference. Some prefer fast play with fewer decisions. Others may enjoy more complex formats that allow for different strategies. Either way, it’s important to check the game format and betting rules before joining.

Gambling should always be seen as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. All poker games involve random outcomes. While good decision-making can affect your chances over time, no strategy can eliminate risk.

If you choose to play, consider using tools such as deposit limits or self-assessment checks, which are available on UK-regulated sites. You can take breaks or set time reminders to help manage your activity. Always use money you can afford to lose, and avoid chasing losses.

For information or support, organisations like GamCare and BeGambleAware offer free advice and tools for anyone needing guidance on safer gambling.