Top 5 Poker Games to Play Online in 2025

Poker is one of the world’s most popular card games, and there are several different variants. However, once you have familiarised yourself with one poker variant, all others will be easy to pick up.

Revealed on this page are the names of five popular online poker games that every card game enthusiast should know about in 2025, some of which you can even enjoy playing for free on trusted poker sites like PlayWSOP.

Why is poker so popular?

Poker is a popular card game around the world for various reasons. For example, it’s a relatively easy card game to learn how to play, and it involves a little bit of luck, gameplay and betting strategies, skill, and even psychology, depending on which poker variant you decide to play.

In other words, anyone who is looking to play a card game where winning and losing doesn’t rely purely on luck may find that poker is the ideal game for them.

It can be thoroughly engaging and somewhat exciting in certain situations, especially when strategies and an element of skill can both be applied to improve your chances of winning a hand.

It has also become more popular than ever because of the internet and dedicated poker sites that typically have numerous computer-generated and live dealer poker variants to choose from. Online poker today can be played from almost any location on the planet at any time of the day using any decent Wi-Fi/internet-connected laptop, desktop computer, tablet or smartphone.

The convenience of being able to play poker online like this has also boosted the game’s popularity, accessibility, and visibility. Being able to play for free on trusted poker sites has also helped increase its popularity.

Here are some of the key reasons why poker has become so popular with modern audiences:

• Accessibility – dedicated poker sites controlled by reputable operators have made it easy for anyone who wants to play poker wherever they are and at any time of the day
• Strategy and skill – players can use certain reliable and effective gameplay/betting strategies in different situations, which can improve their chances of winning, meaning you don’t have to rely on good old lady luck each time
• Psychological challenge – many players love the fact that it is a mentally stimulating game that often requires them to read their opponents ‘tells’ (their physical reactions of other players when cards are dealt or when bets are placed and any other noticeable changes in their behaviour, which can be used to gain an advantage over their opponents)
• Game variety – there are several different poker variants that appeal to different types of players for various reasons, including competitive poker, where you play against other players, and casino poker variants, where you only have to beat the dealer. In video poker games, you play alone and don’t have to beat an opponent
• Media and TV broadcasting exposure – the game has become more popular in recent years, thanks to television shows and live streams that showcase professional players in high-stakes games and major events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Social media ‘influencers’ have also helped poker’s popularity grow exponentially
• The allure and thrill of poker – many players enjoy playing poker for the pure thrill of the game, its unpredictable nature, bluffing, and the potential to win big
• Social aspect – people enjoy playing poker for the social aspect because they like interacting with other like-minded people and the banter that usually plays out around a table

It doesn’t take long to learn, and once you have mastered the basics, you can really start to enjoy the world’s most-loved card game.

Top 5 poker variants to play online in 2025

As mentioned, there are several different poker variants, and once you have learned how to play one type of poker, the other variants will be just as easy to get to grips with.

The top 5 online poker variants to try in 2025 are the following:

1. Texas Hold’em 

2. Omaha

3. Three Card Poker (aka Trinity Poker, 3 Card Poker or Tri Card Poker)

4. Five Card Draw 

5. Seven Card Stud

These games are now widely available on hundreds of legally permitted sites and have betting levels/table limits to suit all types of players, from beginners to pros.

Before playing in the real money mode, the best thing to do would be to learn to play for free on globally renowned poker sites like PlayWSOP.

Final thoughts

Whether you decide to play poker in the real money mode or free-play demo mode, the most important thing you can remember is to gamble responsibly. In other words, avoid doing things like playing while tired or intoxicated because playing in this altered frame of mind can lead to you making costly and avoidable mistakes.

If you play for real, stick to playing on fully licensed and regulated sites, and consider setting a sensible spending budget before depositing. The safest sites will also provide a range of highly effective, safer gambling tools that can help you remain within your initial spending budget (only when used correctly).

For example, some of the best bankroll management tools to use when playing any poker variant are session time reminders, spending caps, daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits, and win/loss limits.