Lora Mcclain Poker

Most everyone is familiar with Texas Hold'em, which has become commonly referred to as the Cadillac of Poker, thanks to it's widespread popularity on television programs. From regularly scheduled programs such as the World Poker Tour to the televised final table match of the World Series of Poker, most everyone has become familiar with how to play Texas Hold'em, particularly the No Limit variety.

However, Texas Hold'em is not the only version of poker, and until recently it was not even the most popular version of the game. There are many different types of poker that can be played. Here is a brief look at the different options that are available in card rooms around the world.

Five Card Draw Poker

Five Card Draw Poker is the traditional favorite when it comes to playing poker at home. The game is typically played with up to five players. Betting in five card draw consists of an initial ante plus two additional betting rounds. Each player is dealt five cards face down, and may discard/replace as many (or all) of the cards as they wish during the initial betting round.

Omaha Poker

The Omaha version of poker is played with up to ten players. Each player is dealt four cards face down. After four rounds of betting, there are five community cards face up on the table, which are shared by all players. The player combines any two (of the four) cards from their hand with the community cards to make the best possible poker hand.

Omaha Hi/Lo Poker

There is also a version of Omaha poker called Hi/Lo. In this version, a player can also win with a "lo/low" hand by holding complete garbage, with cards no higher than 8. For example, a player holding A, 2, 3, 4, 6 would likely have a lo hand and win the pot. If another player also had the high hand (for example, two pair), the pot would be split between them.

Seven Card Stud Poker

Seven Card Stud is another popular variation of poker. Seven Card Stud is usually played with up to eight people. The game carries an initial ante, followed by five rounds of betting. There are no community cards in Seven Card Stud. Each player is dealt a total of seven cards, with three being face down so that only the player can see, and the remaining four being dealt face up so that everyone can see. Players use any five of the seven cards they hold to make the best possible poker hand. There is also a hi/lo version of the game.

There are a number of other poker variations that are worth getting to know. Caribbean Stud Poker, Razz Poker, 3-Card Poker and Pineapple make just a few. There are many poker variations aside from Texas Hold'em, each requiring a different strategy to be successful in the game. The many different poker variations provide ample opportunities for a lifetime of exploring the game without ever getting bored.

Some people like to unwind by listening to music, some like to watch TV, some like to indulge in a little baking, and some like to play in the Arcades.

Those people who belong to the first three categories are lucky because the radio, the television, and the oven could be found in the comfort of their own homes.

The same couldn't be said for the guy who likes to play in the Arcade though as the nearest Arcade is probably blocks away. And due to the dwindling popularity of the Arcades, their numbers have dropped as well.

But, as is the case with almost everything else in our modern world, technology has made it easier for the Arcade Buff. Your favorite arcade games like Pac-Man, Pinball, and Space Invaders can now be played in the comfort of your own home all for free.

You don't have to buy those bulky Arcade Machines. The solution is actually more practical. You only have to go to your desk, open the computer, connect to the Internet, and go to one of those on-line Arcades. Nobody has to see you struggling over that unbeatable stage in Super Mario.

Nobody has to see you fumble with the controls as you try to outrun the enemies in Pac-man. Nobody has to hear that booming voice shout "Game Over". You can do it all in the comfort and privacy of your own home. No more humiliating defeats, no more annoying bystanders whispering that they can do better, no more waiting in line to buy tokens. Indeed, the on-line arcade has made things extremely better for the modern gamer.

Online arcades also offer a bigger variety of games than your local arcade. There are over a million arcade games in the Internet, a number made possible by the emergence of different versions of different games.

These on-line games, ranging from puzzle games to shooting games to word games, have even become more complex, more interesting, and more addictive. Pac-man, a traditionally two dimensional game has evolved into a full three dimensional game, where our hero, Pac-man has changed from a mere circle to a 3-d sphere with legs and arms, and an interesting personality to boot.

Modern Technology has made things easier for the modern man. If you're too busy to go to the actual Arcades, you can still indulge yourself in the Internet without having to leave your home and and play free arcade games.