When people hear the word “poker,” their minds usually jump straight to Texas Hold’em — the king of all poker variants. But wait… the world of poker is much broader than just two hole cards and five community cards. Behind the sparkle of casual tables and big tournaments, there are poker games that are strange, fun, and even nearly forgotten.
Here are three unique poker games that are not widely known. Ready to explore another side of the card game world?
1. Badugi – Poker from the Land of the Morning Calm
Origin: South Korea
Number of Cards: 4 cards
Objective: Not to make a regular combination — instead, you want low cards with different suits and numbers!
🔹 How to Play:
Badugi uses a draw poker format (where you can discard and draw new cards). But unlike traditional poker, you want a combination of 4 cards with:
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All different numbers
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All different suits
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And the lower the numbers, the better!
Example of a “Pure Badugi” combination: 3♣ – 5♦ – 7♠ – A♥
🔹 What Makes It Unique?
This game truly flips traditional poker logic on its head. There are no flushes, no straights, and the best combination is low cards that don’t match each other. So, if you’re used to aiming for “high cards,” Badugi will make you feel like you’re learning poker all over again.
2. Pineapple – The Extra Card That Creates Dilemmas
Origin: USA, popular in home games
Starting Cards: 3 hole cards (not two like in Hold’em)
🔹 How to Play:
Pineapple looks similar to Texas Hold’em, except for one key difference: you’re dealt 3 cards at the start, but… you must discard one card before the flop (or in some versions, after the flop).
Then the game continues as usual: flop, turn, river, and showdown.
🔹 What Makes It Unique?
The biggest dilemma is at the beginning: which card to discard? Sometimes you’re forced to throw away a card that would have completed a straight or flush if kept. This game makes your brain work because you need to think ahead right from the start.
And there’s a more brutal version: Crazy Pineapple, where you discard 1 card after the flop. Imagine the pain of discarding a card that was clearly leading to a monster combination…
3. Anaconda – The Wild Card Swapping Game
Origin: Home game variation in Latin and South America
Number of Cards: 7 cards
Objective: Form the best five-card combination after multiple rounds of card swapping!
🔹 How to Play:
Anaconda is not just a card game — it’s like a poker reality show.
Each player is dealt 7 cards.
Then the game proceeds in multiple rounds of passing.
For example, you have to give 3 cards to the player on your left.
Next, give 2 cards to the right, and so on.
After all the cards have “traveled,” you choose 5 out of your 7 cards for the showdown.
🔹 What Makes It Unique?
This game is full of intrigue and manipulation. You’re not just playing with your cards — you’re also playing with whom you’ll damage or help. It’s like poker meets Survivor. Plus, the cards you discard can determine your opponent’s fate!
The World of Poker Is Wilder Than You Think
Texas Hold’em may be the face of modern poker, but behind the scenes, there’s a world of card games that are stranger, more strategic, and definitely more entertaining.
Whether you’re intrigued by Badugi’s wild strategy, the dilemma of discarding cards in Pineapple, or the chaotic fun in Anaconda — these games prove one thing:
Poker isn’t just about winning or losing. It’s about thinking, adapting, and sometimes… reluctantly discarding your best card.
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