Dealer’s Choice poker tournaments have gained popularity, especially since the format was included as a bracelet event at the 2014 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Since then, these tournaments have attracted top-tier poker professionals, making them a favorite choice for experienced players looking for a challenge.
If you’re tired of playing the same old No Limit Hold’em, Dealer’s Choice might be the refreshing change you need. The key feature of this format is that the game variant can change from hand to hand. The player on the dealer button selects the format for each hand, and in some tournaments, the dealer may choose a format for an entire orbit (a round of hands) rather than just one.
How Dealer’s Choice Poker Works
In live Dealer’s Choice tournaments, players have a set amount of time to decide which format to play. If you’re playing online, however, if you take too long to decide, the software’s random number generator will pick a format for you.
How Many Poker Variants Can Be Chosen?
There are over 20 different poker formats available for selection in Dealer’s Choice. Here’s a breakdown of the major variants:
Hold’em Variants
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No Limit Hold’em: The most popular poker variant, particularly after the poker boom.
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Pot Limit Hold’em: The maximum bet is capped at the current size of the pot.
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Limit Hold’em: Raises are capped at two times the big blind.
Omaha Variants
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Pot Limit Omaha: Played like Pot Limit Hold’em but with four hole cards instead of two.
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Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Split-pot game for the highest and lowest hands.
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Limit Omaha: Fixed limits with capped raises.
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Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Capped raises with a split-pot game.
Stud Variants
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Razz: A lowball game, one of the oldest versions of poker.
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Seven Card Stud: Make the best five-card hand from seven cards.
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Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Split-pot game with the highest and lowest hands.
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Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo (Regular): Similar to the above but with A-5 lowball rules.
Single Draw Variants
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No Limit 5 Card Draw: Players discard and replace cards to make the best hand.
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No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw: The objective is to make the worst possible hand (2-7 lowball).
Triple Draw Variants
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2-7 Lowball Triple Draw: Lowball poker with three drawing rounds.
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A-5 Lowball Triple Draw: Similar to 2-7 Triple Draw but with A-5 lowball hand rankings.
Other Variants
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Badugi: A popular Asian variant of draw poker.
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Badeucy: A mix of Badugi and 2-7 Triple Draw.
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Badacey: A split-pot game combining Badugi and A-5 low.
Best Strategy for Dealer’s Choice Poker
The key to excelling in Dealer’s Choice is adaptability. Monitor how your opponents play each variant and look for weaknesses. Just because someone chooses a particular format doesn’t mean they are the best at it. Exploit their weaknesses when the same game is chosen again.
Be especially mindful of your opponents’ proficiency in different games. For instance, younger players may not be as familiar with traditional Stud games like Razz, while older players may have more experience in those formats. Additionally, be cautious when drawing hands in games like 2-7 Triple Draw, as they tend to be more volatile. Stick to premium hands, especially in lowball games.
Pros and Cons of Playing Dealer’s Choice Poker
Pros
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Flexibility: When it’s your turn as the dealer, you can choose a game you’re most comfortable with, or a game where you feel you have a strategic edge.
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Observational Advantage: As you play through different formats, you can gauge which games your opponents struggle with and capitalize on their weaknesses.
Cons
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Requires Mastery: Dealer’s Choice isn’t suitable for players who are focused on mastering a single variant like No Limit Hold’em. To succeed, you need to be proficient in at least 20 different poker formats.
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Not for Beginners: This format is more suitable for experienced players. Beginners should focus on one variant first before venturing into Dealer’s Choice, as mastering multiple formats takes time.
