The GGPoker lobby runs a dozen formats at once and newcomers get lost on day one. This page puts every format's rule differences, stake range, rake structure and target player in one table, and explains where to start.
Format overview
| Format | Key rules | Stakes / buy-in | Rake | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-limit hold'em | Two hole cards, five community cards, 6-max and 9-max | From $0.01/$0.02 | 5%, cap by stake | Everyone; beginners first |
| PLO / PLO5 | Four or five hole cards, use exactly two; pot-limit | From $0.01/$0.02 | 5% | Big pots and high variance |
| Short Deck | 36 cards, flush > full house, trips > straight; ante-based | Time-dependent | 5% | Action players, Asian evenings |
| All-in or Fold (AoF) | 8-handed, 8 BB, all-in or fold only | Low stakes | Per table | Newcomer challenges, spare minutes |
| Rush & Cash | Fold and move; random Cash Drops | $0.01/$0.02 – $10/$20 | 5%, 3 BB cap | Volume players |
| Spin & Gold | 3 or 6 players, multiplier 2× – 200,000× | $0.25 – $200 | Inside the multiplier spread | Short sessions, high variance |
| Flip & Go | Forced all-in start, survivors play on | From $1 | Fee | Limited time |
| Sit & Go / MTT | Start when full / fixed start | From $0.25 / $1 | Fee 5–10% | Tournament players; see the schedule |
Stakes and rake per the table info in the client. Rake details on the rake and rakeback page.
No-limit hold'em: start here
Six-max is the main game; nine-max has fewer players. Buy-ins are usually 40 to 100 big blinds, some tables up to 250 BB. Table features include the Smart HUD, All-in Insurance, Snap Cam, Bet on Flop and a straddle option.
For beginners: NL2 ($0.01/$0.02) or NL5, six-max, one table, 100 BB buy-in. Move to Rush & Cash once the interface is familiar. Rules and hand rankings are on the hold'em basics page.
Omaha: PLO and PLO5
Four hole cards, use exactly two; the five-card version has even more action. Pot-limit means the maximum bet equals the current pot. GGPoker's PLO pools are busiest in Asian evenings at stakes similar to hold'em. Variance is roughly two to three times higher, so bankroll management should stretch to 50 buy-ins or more.
Short Deck (6+)
Remove the 2s to 5s and 36 cards remain. Rankings change: a flush beats a full house, trips beat a straight, and the ace plays low in A-6-7-8-9. Most Short Deck tables use antes rather than blinds. Hand-strength distribution is nothing like hold'em, and playing hold'em ranges in Short Deck is a common way to burn money.
All-in or Fold
Eight-handed, eight big blinds each, all-in or fold only. Strategy is almost entirely push/fold charts. The daily challenges in the $100 welcome ticket package (100 to 1,000 hands) are played here; 100 hands takes about twenty minutes.
How to choose: three player types
Complete beginner
Six-max NLH at NL2, one table. Learn the interface in freerolls first.
Experienced, short on time
Rush & Cash at NL10 to NL25, or Spin & Gold at $1 to $5. Remember the higher hourly rake in fast-fold.
Action and variance
PLO5 or Short Deck with at least 50 buy-ins. Read the bankroll section of the strategy page first.
Picked a format?
The lobby filters by format and stake after registration. First deposits from $20 qualify for the welcome bonus.
※ Links to GGPoker on this site are partner links (nofollow). 18+. Play responsibly.
Responsible play
High-variance formats (PLO, Short Deck, Spin & Gold) swing hard in short sessions. Set a stop-loss and leave when you hit it. Taiwan has no local regulator; under-18s may not play. Taiwan's 1925 helpline is free and open 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Which games does GGPoker offer?
No-limit hold'em, pot-limit Omaha (4 and 5 cards), Short Deck, All-in or Fold, Rush & Cash, Spin & Gold, Flip & Go, sit and gos and multi-table tournaments. There is also a non-poker tab, which this site does not cover.
Where do cash-game stakes start?
At $0.01/$0.02. Rush & Cash runs up to $10/$20; regular tables go higher depending on the time of day.
Which format should a beginner start with?
Six-max no-limit hold'em at NL2 to NL5, or Rush & Cash at the same stakes. Simplest rules, most learning material, largest pools.
How does Omaha differ from hold'em?
Four hole cards (five in PLO5), and you must use exactly two with three community cards. Pot-limit betting. Variance is much higher than hold'em.
What is Short Deck?
Poker with the 2s to 5s removed, 36 cards. Hand rankings change: a flush beats a full house and trips beat a straight. Lots of action and high variance.
What is All-in or Fold?
Eight-handed, eight big blinds each, and every decision is all-in or fold. The daily challenges in the $100 welcome ticket package are completed in this format.
