Where Have All The Poker Games Gone?

I realize I can simply hop on my computer and find hundreds, perhaps thousands, of different poker games that would suit me just fine; but what I’m really referring to is home poker games. The stakes may be lower and the rules less enforced, but home poker games bring about the most enjoyment, and tend to be the genesis of every good poker story.

When I first started taking the game seriously in the early 2000’s if you wanted to get your gamble on in a poker game you either: made the trek to the nearest casino, got together with some friends around someone’s kitchen table, or found yourself in the backroom of a local bar after hours.

With everyone trying to master one form of poker -No Limit Texas Hold’ Em-and learning only that single form of poker the ‘Dealer’s Choice’ style poker games that were en-vogue for decades are slowly fading into nothingness: And that is truly a shame.

In the last couple of years ‘Mix-Games’ have become increasingly popular, which I hope leads to the rebirth of the ‘Dealer’s Choice’ home game where one simple rule applies: If you can explain it, you can play it!

The reality is, if you want to be a complete poker player you sometimes have to leave your comfort zone -for today’s poker pro wannabe’s that means Texas Hold’ Em-and face a new challenge. Learning the alternate forms of poker will only enhance your ability in Texas Hold’ Em, by putting you into new situations where you have to think on your feet, and not simply rely on rote memorization.

When you are first faced with a hand of 7-Card-Stud you will have to actually think about what makes a good starting hand; what a raise means; and the difference between community cards and cards you alone are playing. You will have to take what you know about Texas Hold’ Em and try to apply it to a Stud poker game; and take your lumps as you learn along the way.

But in the long-run this type of independent thought will only make you a more dangerous Texas Hold’ Em player -in addition to learning a new poker discipline-because you will be able to think for yourself through every situation. To use a football analogy, you will go from being a rookie quarterback to Peyton Manning: No longer is your offensive coordinator sending in the plays; now you are choosing the plays, and calling an audible at the line of scrimmage.

So the next time you get a group of friends together for a Texas Hold’ Em tournament throw out the idea of a ‘Dealer’s Choice’ game instead of -or after– the tournament, I think you’ll be surprised how quickly players come around to the joys of cash game play, and more particularly to ‘Dealer’s Choice’ where they can play a little 5-Card-Draw, 7-Stud-Chicago, or Iron Cross.