Must of use cut our metaphorical poker teeth playing five card draw. This is the most simplistic of the online poker versions, easily accessible to beginning players, and quick to master. The problem with being reared on this simplistic game is that it can throw you for a serious loop when it comes time to play one of the more complicated casino games. I’m talking about stud games of course, which feature bewildering mixes of face up and face down cards.

Stud games are different from draw games because you don’t get to hold all of your cards in your hand at once. Some are placed face up for the other players to see. This can be a really disconcerting experience that first time you play because you are so used to hiding your cards in draw games. You also need to bet far more frequently in stud games than you may be used to. These may seem like minor differences, but I have seen players freeze up at the table because they can’t get used to the other players seeing their cards. Try playing online games first so that it is not as rough a transition when you move to live cash games. If you are comfortable with the differences you are in a much better position to play well.