Brigistul
Visionary
Platinum Level
8-Game is a mixed game poker variant that encompasses eight separate poker disciplines, played in rotation: 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold'em, and Pot-Limit Omaha. It is the most difficult because you go through a series of games with different rules to play. adapt immediately and which you must have previously played separately.
scobido
Visionary
Platinum Level
In my opinion, the most playing skills are required by the High/Low format, either Omaha or Stud. 8, I play Omaha a lot and to this day I still don't think I can master it, in every session there is a situation where my adrenaline increases significantly due to the difficulty of the game.
player4533456
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I have only ever played NL seriously so it's hard for me to say, but if you count 8-game as its own variant then that's obviously the most difficult to do well at as you have to be skilled at each of the games. Other than that, deepstack NL can get pretty tricky but from my experience omaha, especially H/L variants have more variables to take into account and seem harder to master, from my perspective anyway.
robertboz
Legend
Platinum Level
The poker variant that requires the most skill, in my opinion, would be Texas Hold'em No-Limit.
This variant is favored in professional tournaments (such as the world series of poker) and involves a complex combination of:
mathematical strategy (probability, pot odds, equity),
reading your opponent (psychology, body language, betting patterns),
bankroll management,
emotional discipline, and
the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
This variant is favored in professional tournaments (such as the world series of poker) and involves a complex combination of:
mathematical strategy (probability, pot odds, equity),
reading your opponent (psychology, body language, betting patterns),
bankroll management,
emotional discipline, and
the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
hobojim1247
Legend
Platinum Level
H/L is a totally different strategy and skill set than just the High only game in both Omaha and Stud 8. Many players only play hands where they can scoop both H&L halves. I play mixed games for the change of pace it provides from NLHE.
ratbat615
Legend
Platinum Level
i have to agree with you i have played every type of poker ,but none compare to NLTH.
hobojim1247
Legend
Platinum Level
I think NLHE is the most difficult . It attracts the most players and has the widest variation of personalities. Every hand has different ways to play depending on the opponent and their tendencies. The difficulty is deciding the tendencies your opponent has and applying the appropriate response. Since poker is an evolving game there is a need to learn new responses necessary to counter new strategy.
P
PyWiz
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I am not sure which game will take the most skill to master, but i think NLH takes the least. Don't take this wrong, because i like to play NLH.
My reason is, that in NLH everyone can get lucky. That is what makes amateurs play it, and they keep returning in the hopes of getting lucky. If there is this element of luck in it which makes it worth for us amateurs to return, then skill doesn't play a huge role.
My reason is, that in NLH everyone can get lucky. That is what makes amateurs play it, and they keep returning in the hopes of getting lucky. If there is this element of luck in it which makes it worth for us amateurs to return, then skill doesn't play a huge role.
Omar.Imrane
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Honestly, in my opinion, Omaha, especially Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), is one of the most skill-demanding poker variants. Sure, you start with four cards instead of two, but that actually makes the game way more complex than NLHE, because there are so many more possible combinations. Reading opponents and evaluating hand strength becomes much harder.
In PLO, you can’t just rely on catching a good flop — you need to be very precise with your starting hand selection, know how to control the pot size, and always keep in mind that your hand might be good, but not the best, especially since anyone can turn the tables with just one card on the turn or river.
I personally started with NLHE, but Omaha has really pulled me in lately because it’s such a dynamic game and mentally challenging. You can win a huge pot — or lose everything just as easily if you're not fully focused.
And honestly, when people say Omaha is a "luck game," I feel like they haven't really understood how deep it actually i
s. 😄
In PLO, you can’t just rely on catching a good flop — you need to be very precise with your starting hand selection, know how to control the pot size, and always keep in mind that your hand might be good, but not the best, especially since anyone can turn the tables with just one card on the turn or river.
I personally started with NLHE, but Omaha has really pulled me in lately because it’s such a dynamic game and mentally challenging. You can win a huge pot — or lose everything just as easily if you're not fully focused.
And honestly, when people say Omaha is a "luck game," I feel like they haven't really understood how deep it actually i
s. 😄
Mario7
Rock Star
Platinum Level
When I was young I knew (and played a bit) only 5-card draw poker. Well, perhaps fun, but clearly hazardous game with not much math nor strategy involved. Nothing really big. I knew other poker warinats existed but never imagined they could be potentially better, deeper.
2 years ago I "discovered" NLH. After getting just a little bit deeper into the game I was really surpised how many possibilities and challenges this game has to offer. How much learning it requires. 2 years have passed, I still play and learn and I still find myself on the beggining of the road. Just WOW!
As for other wariants, Just after I started playing NLH, I have also tried PLO a little bit, I feel it is more complicated, but simply, because there is much more easy accessible info about NLH and I focused on this variant and I gave up others.
So for me, cash NLH is the best (I play only on-line micro). Tournements are also fun, however much toughter to win, because (in my opinion) much more random.
2 years ago I "discovered" NLH. After getting just a little bit deeper into the game I was really surpised how many possibilities and challenges this game has to offer. How much learning it requires. 2 years have passed, I still play and learn and I still find myself on the beggining of the road. Just WOW!
As for other wariants, Just after I started playing NLH, I have also tried PLO a little bit, I feel it is more complicated, but simply, because there is much more easy accessible info about NLH and I focused on this variant and I gave up others.
So for me, cash NLH is the best (I play only on-line micro). Tournements are also fun, however much toughter to win, because (in my opinion) much more random.
wlad20082009
Legend
Loyaler
Poker itself is a complex game. And it is unrealistic for me to determine which type of poker requires more skill. I have tried almost all types of poker in my time. Yes, I have been successful in some games (5-card Omaha, 6-card Omaha, Badugi, 5-card draw, triple 2-7 draw, single 2-7 draw, etc.), but it is unrealistic for me to determine which type of poker requires more skill. No matter how good a craftsman you are, it is impossible to succeed without luck. This is true. For me, this question remains open!
RhinoRyan89
Legend
Platinum Level
in my opinion 8 game cash and limit holdem cash would be 2 of the most difficult formats to be a winning player in.
8 game cash due to having to have a strong game across multiple formats of poker
limit holdem cash becuase of the fact you can't be accordingly to the strength of your hand and it has many more multiple way pots.
8 game cash due to having to have a strong game across multiple formats of poker
limit holdem cash becuase of the fact you can't be accordingly to the strength of your hand and it has many more multiple way pots.
ScooperNova
Hair in a Biscuit
Loyaler
I feel like you could reasonably give many different answers here, each with legitimate arguments.
For my money, I think that PLO8 (Omaha High/low) takes the most skill. Split pot games introduce a lot more mathematical considerations. You need many of the same skills in this game as other community board games, but many are multiplied here due to the complexity. Also, use all the tools you want, but player skill is the supreme ruler here. Holdem has become a contest of memorizing computer outputs, or worse, using them in real time. PLO8 isn't infested with this sickness that gives puts poor poker players on an even or advantaged playing field.
For my money, I think that PLO8 (Omaha High/low) takes the most skill. Split pot games introduce a lot more mathematical considerations. You need many of the same skills in this game as other community board games, but many are multiplied here due to the complexity. Also, use all the tools you want, but player skill is the supreme ruler here. Holdem has become a contest of memorizing computer outputs, or worse, using them in real time. PLO8 isn't infested with this sickness that gives puts poor poker players on an even or advantaged playing field.
IPlayToWin
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I think pot limit omaha, because it's more harder than NL Holdem.
It's more combinations, and it's more harder to find the good spot with your cards.
I prefer NL Holdem, and I think the game it's full of skills, and you need to learn thenlm all of your life, because it's very many.
To look deeply in the game you didnt have a time to explain all the skills or maybe few hours to note them.
I suggest to play Poker my friends the game it's full of skills.
It's more combinations, and it's more harder to find the good spot with your cards.
I prefer NL Holdem, and I think the game it's full of skills, and you need to learn thenlm all of your life, because it's very many.
To look deeply in the game you didnt have a time to explain all the skills or maybe few hours to note them.
I suggest to play Poker my friends the game it's full of skills.
BillyR23
Legend
Loyaler
It was interesting to scroll through this thread and see what other community members think about this topic and many have really good arguments for the different variants they went for... I already had an answer from when I opened the thread and read the 1st post/ question and I won't change my pick even tho some posts/ picks really made a bit more sense...
IMO, NL Texas Holdem requires the most skill, at first glance some less experienced and/or players that don't put too much time into studying the variant, might think this is a 'simple' one where luck is heavily involved, but it's such a complex one and to be a successful/ good player you need to factor so many things into your decisions on each street, you need to understand odds, ranges etc... be able to adjust your style of play based on the style of your opponents'... the mental/ psychological game(especially live)... like the OP said- it takes a day to learn and a lifetime to master!
IMO, NL Texas Holdem requires the most skill, at first glance some less experienced and/or players that don't put too much time into studying the variant, might think this is a 'simple' one where luck is heavily involved, but it's such a complex one and to be a successful/ good player you need to factor so many things into your decisions on each street, you need to understand odds, ranges etc... be able to adjust your style of play based on the style of your opponents'... the mental/ psychological game(especially live)... like the OP said- it takes a day to learn and a lifetime to master!
