I've been playing hold em for years and wonder if it is necessary or even profitable to learn other types of poker, and why? What is a good game to learn for someone who only knows hold em?

Try Pot Limit Omaha (PLO). It is same very similar to holdem but you get 2 more cards.

PLO is catching on, and (in theory) gives an equally skilled player a higher EV than in hold'em.

It is/has taken over the online high stakes, and is encroaching on the midstakes.

If you look at the top NLHE players, they are at least pretty competent at PLO, if not better at PLO. The two games share the same "higher level" thinking process, though transition from NLHE to PLO would be harder than from LHE to Stud Hi, I would think.


But, if you're a low stakes player, live or online, you can probably stick to hold'em, from a pure profit point of view. It's by far still the most popular game, and will probably remain so forever.

Furthermore, PLO is mostly a cash game, whereas NLHE can be played well in just about any structure.


But PLO is definitely fun, and I'm sure sooner or later you'll see it at a home game, at least for one orbit. Also, PLO8 (pot limit omaha hi/lo 8-or-better) is also getting popular.


By the way, I'm guessing NL 2-7 Single Draw will make a comeback of sorts!

Thanks for the replies! I think I will just stick to NLHE for now since im low stakes and just looking to profit, I'll get into other games later.

I think it's very beneficial to try as many games as you can at least once... hell, go play .04/.08 7-card stud 8 on pstars just to say you tried it, or sign up for a $3 HORSE sit n go. It's amazing how a new type of game can give you a new perspective on the games you always play (ie: no-limit hold'em).

Other notable games to try are: chess, backgammon, gin, cribbage, blokus, literati/scrabble, dominoes.

I agree with xTBONEx. Cross-training helps athletes, it works for poker players too. Different games help you develop different skills, and see new aspects of your old game. Plus you may find another game more fun or more profitable or both.

If you have a home game, try NL 2-7 Single Draw. It's a pure position/bluffing game that helps you with... position and bluffing.

And it's loads of fun.

give HORSE a try. You get to play

Holdem (limit structure)
Omaha (hi lo split)
Razz
Stud
Eight or better (Stud hi lo split)

It's pretty damn fun, and a perfect way to .... ahem, "diversify your poker portfolio"

... can't believe I said that.