Chip Reese won the first $50,000 buy-in HORSE poker tournament at the 2006 World Series of Poker. He beat fellow high-stakes cash games players Doyle Brunson and Phil Ivey for the title.
This event was notable for bringing back professional pure to a tournament that is now a popular lottery for online amateurs. Many have taken an interest in the obscure but classic form of poker. HORSE stands for Mixed Games.
What is H.O.R.S.E?
H.O.R.S.E. stands for: the acronym stands for:
- Limit Hold ’em (H)
- Omaha H/L (O)
- Razz (R)
- 7 Card Stud (S)
- Stud 8/b (E).
HORSE is a challenging game for many people, even though the most wealthy professionals play mixed-limit games in some of the giant cash games in the entire world.
Why is HORSE poker so challenging to play?
- HORSE poker is a limited game. In my instance, most of us are familiar with no-limit tournament play or cash game play. This means you can’t protect as many against draws and extract as many chips in tournament play as you could have done in no-limit.
- Many people must become more familiar with Razz or Stud Eights, Better. These games are included as the R and E of HORSE poker. You’ll be disadvantaged if weak or clueless in certain games.
- You are forced to switch games each round. You could play a different table game than the rest if you don’t pay attention, especially with Stud games.
- All HORSE games are full of draws. This can work in your favor or against you.
HORSE is a very addictive form of poker. Although I am from the same area of the game as many others (playing no limit Hold ”em), HORSE has been a fun and addictive form of poker. I have played in several mixed-game tournaments.
HORSE can be played at PokerStars in both cash and tournament formats. HORSE tournaments can also be played.
Although I need to become more expert in mixed games, I am improving my tournament results and picking up the flow. For those interested in picking the game, I would like to offer some HORSE strategy tips.
Playing different HORSE poker games.
Limit Hold ’em (H)
Many players are regulars in limit-hold ’em cash games, but many prefer no-limit cash games and tournaments. If the limit is not something you practice, draws are more common, and the pots are more petite and bluffing less.
It is worth it to be unsure if your hand is the best on the river in limit. You’ll often get 10:1 odds and better.
Slowplaying in limit holds ’em is not a good strategy, especially against multiple opponents. There are few chances to win big, and you need the option to draw.
Low Split (O)
Omaha H/L can be played as Hold ’em, but each player is given four cards and must play two. You can have the best high and low hand, but it’s possible to split them. Different cards can be used for both the high and low.
Your hand must contain five cards less than 8 to qualify for a low hand. A,2,3,4,5 is the best soft hand possible. Playing too many Omaha hands is easy, but in High/Low, you should limit your starting hands to those who can win both High and Low.
Excellent starting hands include A, A.2,3, and A.K.2,3, with both suited Aces. This way, you can make the hand flush, the whole substantial house, and the nut low. Pairs count against a low-hand hand, so you must have five cards less than 8.
Razz (R)
It is a 7-Card Stud, played only by the low. Razz is a tricky game that can lead to a high-stakes hand. If they take care, even solid mixed-game players could retain a lot of chips. Razz is known as The Hated Game.
A starting hand should contain three unpaired, at most 8. To qualify, you must have five low cards. If you draw cards such as Queens, Kings, or Jacks, you should be able to release your hand.
Many players need to learn the rules of this game. Be on the lookout to see clueless opponents with 3 Queens or more. This situation could be your best chance to win with a 9- or 10-high hand.
7 Card Stud (S)
It is the classic high card Stud game. You can play this game using the drawing chances you learned from Hold ’em. Even a pair with unimproved Aces is unlikely to win the pot.
Stud’s average winning hand is two pairs. Keep an eye on your opponent’s betting patterns and the exposed cards.
7 Card Stud Eights and Better (E).
It is another name for S or Card Stud H/L. It is the third HORSE game in which you must be aware of the low. To qualify, the soft hand must have five cards or less (as in Omaha H/L or Razz).
The pot is split by the soft hand and the high hand. It is possible to win the whole jackpot. The best starting hands for 7 Stud 8/b are A,2,3 and A, A.2. Straight flushes are the best hand possible: A,2,3,4,5. A wheel straight is a more realistic and often unbeatable hand.
Final HORSE poker tips
HORSE tournaments require that you pay attention to changes in the game and adjust your play accordingly. Turbo poker is the most popular type of HORSE poker event. The stakes will increase every few hands or minutes to speed up the game.
If you are weak in a particular game, you can learn the rules and see how your hands perform consistently.
Although it can be difficult at first, HORSE poker is an excellent method to increase your ability to play mixed games. Take a break from Hold ’em and find another match you are strong enough to play cash games.