{"id":14523,"date":"2025-10-15T08:37:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T08:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.com\/blog\/?p=14523"},"modified":"2025-10-15T08:38:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T08:38:21","slug":"dealers-choice-poker-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/15\/dealers-choice-poker-games\/","title":{"rendered":"Dealer\u2019s Choice Poker Games Explained (and 20 Fun Variations You Can Try)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever played poker at home, you\u2019ve probably heard someone say, \u201cDealer\u2019s choice!\u201d But what does that actually mean \u2014 and how does it work in real tournaments like the World Series of Poker (WSOP)?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break it down in simple terms.<\/p>\n

What Is Dealer\u2019s Choice Poker?<\/h2>\n

In Dealer\u2019s Choice poker, each player takes turns choosing which poker game everyone will play for one round (called an \u201corbit\u201d).<\/p>\n

Unlike regular mixes like H.O.R.S.E. where the games follow a set order, in Dealer\u2019s Choice the rotation depends entirely on the players at the table. One person might pick Texas Hold\u2019em, the next might go for Omaha, and the next might pick something wild like Badugi.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what makes Dealer\u2019s Choice so interesting \u2014 every round can feel totally different.<\/p>\n

Why Players Love Dealer\u2019s Choice<\/h2>\n

Players enjoy this format because it adds a layer of strategy. When it\u2019s your turn to pick, you want to choose a game you\u2019re strong at \u2014 and ideally one your opponents struggle with.<\/p>\n

You might also think about what games you play best, what your opponents play worst, and how deep your stack is. It\u2019s part skill, part strategy, and a little bit of mind reading.<\/p>\n

Dealer\u2019s Choice at the World Series of Poker (WSOP)<\/h2>\n

The WSOP first added Dealer\u2019s Choice in 2014 with a $1,500 event. It became so popular that they introduced a $10,000 Championship version the following year \u2014 and it\u2019s been a regular event ever since.<\/p>\n

Top players love it because it tests who can adapt best across dozens of poker formats. You can\u2019t just be good at one game \u2014 you need to handle almost anything.<\/p>\n

How to Pick Your Game<\/h2>\n

When it\u2019s your turn to deal, think about what games you play best, what your opponents play worst, and how deep your stack is.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re short-stacked, you might pick a fast-paced game like No-Limit Hold\u2019em. If you have a big stack, you could pick something more complex like Omaha Hi-Lo to pressure the table.<\/p>\n

The 20 Most Popular Dealer\u2019s Choice Poker Games<\/h2>\n

There are dozens of possible games, but these 20 are the ones most often used in WSOP Dealer\u2019s Choice events. They fall into five main categories:<\/p>\n

1. Hold\u2019em Variants<\/h3>\n