If
you want play Poker seriously you should learn them in the following
order:
Start with Texas Hold'em and learn it as best as you can. After
3-6 months you will know if this is your game or if holding more
cards would be more appealing.
If you must move, move to Omaha, (Pineapple is just for fun not
for learning). Omaha will actually help your Hold'em game
because it's similar to Hold'em with much more caution. With four
cards per player the possibilities of straights, flushes, and
full houses increase greatly so you can't be as aggressive and
definitely can't bluff as much since most of the time someone
will have a good hand. However, you will notice that the patience
and the caution you gain from this game will have made you a more
well rounded Hold'em player if and
when you switch back. If you need to ask which
one should only just stick with Hold'em. Card players who only
play Omaha made that permanent switch as established players without
asking. You will know.
If
you don't like sharing cards on the table at all, then move over
to Seven Card Stud. This is less simple than Hold'em but you may
like looking at the other players face up cards and making a decision
rather than sharing the cards. There are more cards dealt and
more bet sessions in this game than any other so make sure you
don't start playing this as a cold beginner.
Five
card draw should never be forgotten since that's how poker began
but casinos don't have tables with it. There are too few bet sessions
so the casino's rake is too small and unprofitable. There is no
"Flop" play, "Turn" play, or "River" play.....so everyone can
play. You will find few questions and answers or discussions about
this game in poker magazines because of it's simple form. I have
yet to ever see a Five Card Draw tournament anywhere, however
it does have it's own world of high skill level when played for
very high stakes.
The
High-Low games seem simple but require very high levels of skill
so don't ever start out your poker learning with these games,
save these for after you have learned all the rest.
