What Are the Games in HORSE Poker?

HORSE poker is a popular mixed game that is played at high-stakes poker tournaments and cash games. In this game, the players have to play five different poker variations in rotation, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo.

Let’s take a closer look at what each of these games entails:

Texas Hold’em – Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker played around the world. The game is played with two cards dealt to each player face down and five community cards that are dealt face up on the table. The objective of the game is to make the best five-card hand using any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards.

Omaha Hi-Lo – Omaha Hi-Lo is a variation of Omaha where players can win either the pot or half of it. Each player receives four hole cards instead of two in Texas Hold’em and must use exactly two of them to make a hand along with three community cards. The pot is split between the highest and lowest hands.

Razz – Razz is a lowball poker game where players aim to get the lowest possible hand ranking. Players are dealt seven cards each, but only their five lowest-ranked ones count towards their final hand ranking.

PRO TIP:HORSE is an acronym for Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud and Eight or Better. Each game within the HORSE acronym has slightly different rules and strategies, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with each game before participating in a HORSE poker tournament. Knowing the differences between the games can help you make better decisions and improve your chances of winning.

Seven Card Stud – Seven Card Stud was once one of the most popular forms of poker before it was overtaken by Texas Hold’em. In this game, players receive seven cards over four betting rounds with no community cards. Each player must make their best possible hand using their seven cards.

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo – This variation follows the same rules as Seven Card Stud, but with an added twist: Players can win both halves of the pot by having both the highest-ranking hand and the lowest-ranking hand at showdown.

In HORSE poker, players must play each of these five games in rotation. The game starts with Texas Hold’em, followed by Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo. Once players cycle through all five games, the rotation starts over again with Texas Hold’em.

The objective of HORSE poker is to be proficient in all five games and have a well-rounded poker strategy. It requires a lot of skill and knowledge of different types of poker games.

In conclusion, HORSE poker is a challenging game that requires a diverse set of skills to be successful. By playing this game, players can improve their overall poker skills and increase their chances of winning at other forms of poker as well. So go ahead and give it a try!