There are indeed many variations to the game of poker, from the more popular variations, such as Texas Hold 'em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud, to the less frequently played ones, such as Razz and 5-Card Stud. These are widely practiced all across land-based as well as online poker venues. However, there are also less official variations of the game typically played by poker aficionados at their homes. There is nothing more enjoyable than having your poker buddies over for a friendly poker match!

The list of such games includes 'Best Flush,' 'Five Seven Switch,' 'Ghost Hand,' 'Lame Brain Pete,' 'Russian Poker' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.' The rules of play are mostly very simple, if you are at least a bit familiar with basic poker.

Best Flush

This game allows up to ten people to participate. Each player receives one card face down and one card face up. A betting round takes place. Another card is dealt. The dealing, alternated by betting rounds, takes place until all players have five cards in their pockets. The final round of betting takes place and is followed by showdown. The winner is a player with the highest hand. The following criterion is applied: only flushes or straight flushes are eligible for winning. If no one happens to hold a straight flush, the strongest flush takes the pot. In case of tie, the winner is established based on card rank.

Five Seven Switch

All active players receive five cards into their pocket. A betting round is then launched. After the first round of betting is over, each participating player is allowed to draw up to three cards. The drawn cards are placed face down on the table in front of each player. After all players are done drawing, each game participant must hold two upcards in his hand and three unexposed cards on the table. Now, the play follows 7-Card Stud's traditional rules, with the exception that instead of the dealer distributing cards, the players expose one for each round by themselves. Once all the four table cards are exposed, the dealer deals one additional pocket card to each player. Bet and determine the winner.

Ghost Hand

This game is a version of the well-known 7-Card Stud poker game. It is played shorthanded and typically boasts huge jackpots. Every player receives his pocket cards just like in 7-Card Stud along with another hand set aside, dubbed 'the Ghost.' The betting action is the same as in Stud as well. At showdown time, all the players reveal their cards. The Ghost hand is also exposed. The best hand at the table, including the Ghost hand, nabs the coveted pot.

Lame Brain Pete

Feel free to replace the name 'Pete' with any other name of a person you dislike. Being an unofficial poker variation, the game of 'Lame Brain Pete' may just as well be called 'Lame Brain Steve,' 'Lame Brain Jim,' or 'Lame Brain Tom.' Whatever makes you comfortable...

With respect to the game's rules, these are pretty easy to learn. Each player at the table gets five cards into his pocket. Then, additional five cards are dealt as Community Cards. They are all placed face down in the middle of the table. After the deal is over, a betting round kicks off. When the betting action is done with, one table card is turned up. This card is considered wild along with all other cards of the same rank. Another round of betting follows. This should be repeated until all table cards are exposed. If the value of the table card is lower than the previous ones turned up, it becomes wild as do all others of the same rank. The player with the highest hand takes the pot.

Russian Poker

Russian people are certainly brave when it comes to gambling. Just take for example the 'Russian Roulette' stunt. 'Russian Poker,' however, has nothing to do with pistols and mortal head injuries. The game allows up to four people to take part in a single match. Each player is required to invest an equal amount of cash in the pot. Normally, the amount stands at $1. Every player is dealt 13 cards. A total of three poker hands must be formed: a bottom, a middle, and a top. The bottom hand contains 3 cards, and the other two hands contain five cards each. The game's golden rule is that the top hand must be stronger than the middle one and the middle hand must be stronger than the bottom one.

The players first reveal their bottom hand and the winner takes 25% of the pot. Then, the middle hand is revealed and the winner takes 50% of the pot. Lastly, the top hand is revealed and the winner takes the remaining 25% of the pot.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Naturally, the game's name reminds us of the legendary 1966 Sergio Leone movie starring Clint Eastwood. Each player receives two face down cards and one up card. Then, three cards are placed in the middle of the table. The community cards are put face down. A betting round takes place.

An additional up card is dealt to each player. Now, flip one of the three table cards. This card is called 'The Good,' and all cards of the same rank are wild. Another round of betting is launched. Afterwards, the second of the three Community Cards is flipped. This one is 'The Bad' and all cards of the same rank must be discarded. Another round of betting kicks off. Then, it's time to expose the last community card. This one is 'The Ugly' and players holding a card of the same rank must automatically fold. A betting round follows and another face down card is dealt. Now, bet again and show.