Think you know Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Stud? Explore common misconceptions about poker variants and learn the truths behind the myths.

Common Misconceptions About Poker Variants

Poker might be one game, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. The term “poker” covers a family of variants, each with its own rules, strategies, and quirks. Unfortunately, most casual players—and even some regulars—carry around misconceptions about these variants.

Some of these myths are harmless. Others can cost you chips faster than ordering another round of cocktails mid-tournament. Let’s break down the most common misconceptions about poker variants and set the record straight.

🃏 Misconception #1: Texas Hold’em Is the Only “Real” Poker

If you walk into a casino, chances are the biggest tables are Texas Hold’em. It’s the one on TV, the one celebrities play, and the one your cousin brags about after “almost cashing” a $10 buy-in. But here’s the truth: poker existed long before Hold’em took over the spotlight.

Stud, Draw, and Omaha have been around for decades. In fact, before the poker boom of the early 2000s, 7-Card Stud was the king of the cardroom. Hold’em is the most popular today, but it’s hardly the only “real” version of poker.

Think of it this way: calling Hold’em the only poker is like saying chess is the only board game. Sure, it’s classic—but the world is bigger than one set of rules.

🔄 Misconception #2: Omaha Is Just “Hold’em With Four Cards”

At first glance, Omaha looks like Texas Hold’em’s chubbier cousin. You get four hole cards instead of two, and that’s the end of it, right? Wrong.

The biggest mistake HAPPY88 slot players make is forgetting Omaha’s golden rule: you must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards. That leads to endless confusion.

Example: You’re holding four spades and the board gives you two more. In Hold’em, you’d be yelling “flush!” In Omaha, you’d be yelling at yourself when the dealer tells you no, because you can’t use all four hole cards.

So no, Omaha isn’t just “Hold’em Plus.” It’s a completely different beast that demands tighter hand selection and a new strategy.

♠️ Misconception #3: Stud Poker Is Outdated and Dead

Ask newer players about Stud, and many assume it’s some dusty relic that only grandpas in smoke-filled basements still play. Sure, Stud isn’t as mainstream as Hold’em, but it’s far from dead.

In fact, Stud is still featured in big mixed-game formats like HORSE (Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and Eight-or-Better). Stud requires strong memory and observation skills because many cards are exposed. There’s no hiding behind a hoodie and sunglasses—you actually have to pay attention.

If anything, Stud is less outdated and more… inconvenient. It just doesn’t stream as well on Twitch compared to Hold’em fireworks.

♣️ Misconception #4: Razz Is Just a Joke Game

Razz gets a bad rap because it feels backward: the lowest hand wins. It confuses people who are used to aiming for aces and kings. But Razz is no joke. In fact, it’s one of the purest forms of poker strategy because:

• No flushes or straights count against you.

• Bluffing is trickier when so many cards are face-up.

• It demands patience, as brick draws can crush your momentum.

The misconception comes from players trying it once, losing with what would be a monster in Hold’em, and declaring it “dumb.” Really, it’s just different.

♦️ Misconception #5: All Variants Reward the Same Skills

One of the deadliest misconceptions is believing your Hold’em skills translate seamlessly to other poker variants. They don’t.

• Hold’em rewards patience and position.

• Omaha demands tighter preflop ranges and hand-reading.

• Stud requires memory and observation.

• Razz is a test of discipline and tilt control.

• Hi-Lo games force you to split attention between two possible outcomes.

Sure, the fundamentals of betting, position, and pot odds apply everywhere. But each variant pushes different skills to the forefront. Walking into Omaha with a Hold’em mindset is like bringing a fork to a soup party—technically, it works, but you’ll look ridiculous.

🏆 Misconception #6: Variants Other Than Hold’em Are “Side Games”

Casinos and online platforms sometimes market Stud, Omaha, or Razz as side games compared to Hold’em’s marquee spotlight. This creates the impression they’re somehow “lesser.”

But look at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Some of the most prestigious bracelets aren’t won in Hold’em but in mixed games and variants. Pros like Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, and Doyle Brunson built reputations by mastering multiple formats.

Side games? Please. For serious players, these are the real proving grounds.

🧩 Misconception #7: Bluffing Works the Same in Every Variant

Hollywood and poker memes have convinced people that bluffing is universal. In reality, bluffing frequency and effectiveness vary by game.

• Hold’em: Bluffing thrives in the right positions.

• Omaha: With so many draws in play, bluffs get called more often.

• Stud: Bluffs are harder to sell when opponents see your board.

• Razz: Bluffing is practically a gamble against visible information.

Believing you can “out-bluff” your way through every variant is a quick road to bankroll extinction. Bluffing is situational, not universal.

🤔 Misconception #8: Only Professionals Play Mixed Games

HORSE, 8-Game, and Dealer’s Choice formats can look intimidating, especially with variants you’ve never tried. This leads to the belief that only hardened pros sit at mixed tables.

But in reality, many recreational players join these games because they want variety. And here’s the kicker: sometimes the least popular variants are the softest fields. Most people aren’t well-studied in Razz or Stud Hi-Lo, which means you don’t need to be perfect—just better than average.

So if you’re tired of Hold’em, mixed games might actually be the casual player’s secret weapon.

🎯 Misconception #9: Variants Don’t Matter Online

Online platforms are flooded with Hold’em, so it’s easy to think other variants don’t matter. But online poker sites often use niche variants to attract new players. Omaha cash games and Stud tournaments still have loyal followings, and some sites even launch seasonal events around them.

Ignoring variants online isn’t just limiting your experience—it’s limiting your edge.

🛑 Misconception #10: More Cards = More Fun

This one’s sneaky. Omaha hands you four hole cards, some exotic formats hand you even more, and players think, “Great! More action, more fun.”

But more cards don’t always mean better odds. More hole cards equal more combinations, more second-best hands, and more brutal coolers. Omaha is famously known as the game of “the nuts or nothing” for a reason. If you’re not disciplined, extra cards just mean extra trouble.

✅ The Takeaway

Poker is a family reunion of card games, and Texas Hold’em is just the loud cousin hogging the spotlight. Every variant has unique rules, strategies, and yes—misconceptions.

The next time someone dismisses Stud as outdated, Razz as a joke, or Omaha as “Hold’em with training wheels,” you’ll know better. And more importantly, you’ll know where their chips are going when they sit at the wrong table.

Keep Playing Smart

At the end of the day, poker variants are opportunities. The more you understand them, the better equipped you are to exploit myths, mistakes, and misconceptions at the table.

So don’t fall for poker folklore—learn the games, respect their differences, and enjoy the variety. After all, who wants to eat the same dish every night, even if it’s steak?