Texas Hold’em Vs. Seven Card Stud Vs. Omaha: Popular Poker Variants Compared

Poker is a big hit at Canadian casinos. Today, most associate this popular card game with Texas Hold’em, that skyrocketed to popularity in the early 2000s. However, there are many exciting poker variants you can play online, including some games you might not be familiar with yet.

In this guide, we’ll explain and compare three popular variants: Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha. Then you can decide for yourself which one is most suited to your playing style.

A Closer Look at Our Three Favourite Poker Variants

Choosing the perfect poker variant for you depends entirely on what you’re looking for in your gaming experience. For example, Texas Hold’em will appeal to players who bet aggressively, while stronger starting hands are a key feature of Omaha.

Check out our top-rated online poker games for each variant, helping you find the perfect fit—whether you enjoy Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Seven Card Stud.

Game

Texas Hold’em Bonus

Oasis Poker

Casino Stud Poker

Provider

Evoplay

BetSoft

Evolution Gaming

Speed and Style

Medium-paced, user-friendly interface

Fast-paced, simple and traditional setup

Moderate-paced, green felt table

Betting Options

Ante bet, Bonus bet, Flop bet

Ante bet, exchange fee, Call bet

Ante bet, Call bet, 5+1 bonus bet (offered by some versions)

RTP

Up to 99.37%

Up to 99.39%

Up to 98.18%

Side Bets

Bonus bet

Bonus bet

Jackpot side bet

Features

User-friendly interface, betting history, traditional Texas-themed

Card exchange mechanic, dealer qualification, HD graphics, and verdant green table

Authentic casino atmosphere, dealer qualification

Perfect For

Novice or experienced players

Players who enjoy classic poker with a fresh twist

Casual players and seasoned poker enthusiast

Play here

Cashed-Logo-Small-Components 1Red Cas HellSpin-logo

Why We Chose to Compare These Top Three Popular Poker Variants

Canadian online casinos are stacked with poker variants, each offering unique rules, opportunities, and challenges. Let’s break them down.

Texas Hold’em: the ultimate classic

This classic variant, played with a 52-card deck, has four stages: pre-flop (two hole cards), flop (three community cards), turn (fourth card), and river (fifth card). The best five-card hand wins the pot of combined bets placed at the table.

I recommend: Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker from Evoplay

My experience:

I had lots of fun playing this exciting high-limits game. It offers an exciting twist to the classic rules by giving you bonus bets and jackpot opportunities while facing the dealer!

 

Texas Holdem Bonus Poker From Evoplay

Omaha Poker: more action, more cards

Omaha features up to ten players, with the dealer distributing four hole cards face down to each player at the table. They must use two of their hole cards and three community cards to form their best five-card hand for a chance to win the pot.

I recommend: Oasis Poker from BetSoft

My experience:

This variant of Omaha poker has a standout feature where you can swap your cards for a fee, adding a layer of strategic decision-making to your game plan!

Oasis-poker (1)

Seven Card Stud: no community cards

What makes Seven Card Stud unique is that it doesn’t involve a flop and has no community cards. Players receive two hole cards face down and a third card face up (called the door card). Players receive three more cards face-up and a final card face down. Whoever has the strongest five-card hand wins the pot.

I recommend: Casino Stud Poker from Evolution Gaming

My experience:

This Seven Card Stud game convinced me why it was once every card sharp’s go-to. The superb gameplay, combining face-up and face-down cards, had me anticipating every hand.

casino-seven-stud
showcase-icon
Did you know? Seven-Card Stud was the most popular poker variant in the United States for decades until Texas Hold’em took over after the poker boom of the early 2000s.

Which Online Poker Variant is Perfect for You?

Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha are all widely played online poker games. The main difference between them lies in how the cards are dealt and used to make a challenging hand.

Let’s compare them side by side:

Poker VariantDealing MethodHow to Win
Texas Hold’emTwo hole cards are dealt face down to each player, and five community cards face up in three stages.Form the best five-card hand, using two hole cards and three community cards.
Seven Card StudSeven cards are dealt to each player, with three face down and four face up.Form the best five-card hand with the cards you are dealt.
OmahaFour hole cards are dealt face down, and the dealer reveals five community cards face up in three stages.Form the best five-card hand using two of your four hole cards and three community cards.

ß

Texas Hold’em Poker: Best for No-Limit Betting

Texas Hold’em is often played in a no-limit format that lets you wager as much as you want during any betting round. This online poker variant creates opportunities for big bluffs, massive pots, and high-stakes decision-making.

Pros and cons of playing Texas Hold’em

PROS

  • Players can go all-in at any time, encouraging aggressive play and high rewards.
  • A straightforward hand ranking system and betting structure makes it beginner-friendly.
  • Almost every casino and poker site offer Texas Hold’em, ensuring plenty of action at all stakes.

CONS

  • The no-limit structure means you can win big, but also lose all your chips in a single hand.
  • Many skilled players specialize in Hold’em, making it tough for casual players to profit.
  • While the basics are easy, developing a winning strategy requires a deep understanding of table position, staking, and gambling psychology.

We recommend HellSpin for Canada’s widest selection of Texas Hold’em poker variants, including exciting live dealer options.

Texas-hold-em-hellspin-casino
ß

Seven Card Stud: Best for Information-Based Play

Seven Card Stud doesn’t use community cards, making it a game of memory, observation, and calculated decision-making. Since you rely solely on your own cards and those revealed by your opponents, tracking visible cards is crucial to forming a winning strategy.

Pros and cons of playing Seven Card Stud

PROS

  • You can win both the high and low halves of the pot by selecting the best combination of cards for each.
  • With seven cards dealt and some visible to opponents, skilled players can make better-informed decisions.
  • More opportunities to bet and raise create a dynamic and engaging game.

CONS

  • Many Stud games use a fixed-limit structure, reducing opportunities for large raises.
  • More betting rounds mean hands take longer to complete, requiring more patience.
  • Even a strong hand may only win half the pot instead of the entire amount.

We recommend joining Cashed Casino for the best Seven Card Stud poker variants, and in-house tournaments with big prizes.

 

Seven-card-stud-cashed-casino
ß

Omaha Poker: Best for Fast-Paced Game Rounds

Omaha is one of the most fast-paced and high-action poker variants, thanks to the sheer number of possible hand combinations. With four hole cards instead of two, players have stronger starting hands, leading to bigger pots and more aggressive play.

Pros and cons of playing Omaha

 

PROS

  • Players receive four hole cards instead of two, creating more chances to hit powerful hands.
  • With stronger hands forming frequently, Omaha tends to have larger pots and more multi-way action.
  • Players must select which two of their four hole cards to use, adding an extra layer of skill and decision-making.

CONS

  • Extra hole cards create more possible hands, making it harder for beginners to quickly evaluate the best move.
  • Frequent strong hands and big pots mean bankroll swings can be significant.
  • Many players overestimate the strength of their starting hands, leading to costly mistakes.

We recommend joining 1Red Casino for the best mobile-optimized poker across all devices.

omaha-poker-one-red-casino

Top Canadian Casinos to Play These Popular Poker Variants

Poker Casino

Cashed-Logo-Small-Components 1Red Cas HellSpin-logo Bodog casino review

Welcome Bonus

100% up to $750 + 200 Free Spins

200% up to $15,450 + 100 Free Spins

$5,200 + 150 Free Spins

100% up to $600 + 50 Free Spins

Why This Casino?

Best live dealer poker games

Superb mobile poker experience

Widest range of poker variants

Biggest poker tournaments

Number of Poker Titles

17

16

40

50

Must-try Poker Games

Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Video Poker Live, Caribbean Stud Poker

Triple Edge Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Jolly Poker, Crystal Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino Hold’em, Triple Card Poker

Texas Hold’em, No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha

Overall Rating

4.9/5

4.8/5

4.7/5

4.5/5

Find Online Poker Tournaments for Real Money in Canada

Online casinos in Canada don’t just offer cash games, they also host online poker tournaments. This gives players a chance to compete for large prize pools, with varying buy-in amounts. Casino tournaments come in many formats, with varying challenges and winning opportunities.

Gaming sites like Bodog Casino offer daily and weekly tournaments, each with their own buy-in amounts and prize pools. The tournaments available include:

  • Texas Hold’em: Buy-ins from $1 to $1,055
  • Omaha: Buy-ins from $1 to $100
  • Omaha Hi-Lo: Buy-ins from $1 to $100
Welcome Bonus: 100% Up To $600 + 50 Free Spins
  • Regular poker tournaments
  • Bonuses tailored for online poker

Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, or Omaha Poker: Which is Best Suited for you?

Choosing an online poker variant depends on your preferred playing style and strategic strengths. Here’s a quick breakdown to help guide you towards the right one:

Poker VariantDifficulty LevelPlay If You Are
Texas Hold’emEasy to learn (difficult to master)New to poker or a casual player
Seven Card StudModerate to hardAn experienced player who enjoys low-card games
OmahaModerateA strategic thinker, who likes to plan every move

Online Poker Tips and Strategies for Playing Like a Pro

Playing poker requires strategy and careful planning to outwit your opponents. Each variant has its own rules, which influence the best approach for a winning hand. Read these advanced tips to help you learn how to play poker like a pro:

Be selective with your hands

Play strong starting hands and fold when uncertain. Avoid chasing weak hands that can lead to unnecessary losses.

Position is power

Play more hands in a late position, where you have more information from other players. Be conservative when acting early.

Always enter the pot with a raise

Raising gives you control of the hand and puts pressure on opponents. Avoid limping, as it signals weakness.

Master pot odds and equity

Understanding pot odds helps you decide whether to call, raise, or fold based on your chances of improving.

Read your opponents

Pay attention to betting patterns. Exploit tight players with bluffs and trap aggressive ones with strong hands.

Control the pot size

Keep the pot small with medium-strength hands and build it gradually with strong holdings to maximize value.

Avoid marginal spots

If your hand is only decent, fold rather than chasing a losing battle. Smart folding protects your stack.

Stay emotionally disciplined

Don’t go on tilt after a bad beat. Keep a clear head, stick to your strategy, and take breaks if needed.

Mix up your play

Avoid predictability by occasionally bluffing or slow-playing strong hands to keep opponents guessing.

A Healthy Mind is Better than a Strong Hand – Play Responsibly

Poker is a thrilling game of strategy, but luck still plays a significant role in winning. Like with all casino games, gambling responsibly is key to staying safe and having fun. If you’re playing poker for real money and feel like your play is getting excessive, setting limits is a good way to keep it in check.

  • Deposit, loss and wager limits: Set yourself daily, weekly, and monthly limits to keep a handle on your spending.
  • Cool off when it’s needed: Take a temporary break from the casino to reassess your gambling habits.
  • Self-exclusion: Restrict your access for six months or longer if you need a more extended break.

FAQ

Close

Hello! Which language do you prefer?