The Game(s)

HORSE is not a game in itself, instead it describes a combination of poker games and playing H.O.R.S.E. is an excellent way to develop skills in multiple games of poker. While at the same time breaking up the single session of playing one poker game through hours of game play. However know the basics of each game first, so you are prepared for the mental change and game play of the respective games. 

 

H. Hold'em

O. Omaha Hi/Lo

R. Razz (Seven Card Stud Low)

S. Stud (Seven Card Stud High)

E. Eight or Better (Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo)

 

 

Playing HORSE

HORSE is played as one round of each poker game and it begins with limit Hold'em, followed by limit Omaha hi/lo, Razz (seven card stud low), Stud (seven card stud high), and finally Eight or better (seven card stud hi/lo). When the seven card stud hi/lo round is complete, the game goes back to Hold'em (limit Hold'em), and so forth. Online, you can follow what game is being dealt and what game that will follow through the software interfaces, land-based the dealer announces the respective game on start.

 

All the games in HORSE are played fixed limit and there are no pot limit games or no limit games. The limits remains the same throughout game rotations, i.e. if playing Hold'em 5-10 fixed limit, next game Omaha hi/lo will also be played at 5-10 fixed limit, followed by Razz 5-10 fixed limit etc.

 

 

Why HORSE (HOSE)

Cash games in land-based casinos the players often agree to play a mix of poker games, rather than a single game. This reduces the single player's edge that a single game pro has, and places focus on a player's total skills of poker throughout multiple versions of poker. Many believes that HORSE and other game mixes are the best way to judge a player's true poker skills. HORSE has also gotten a lot of publicity because it was added to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 2006. HORSE is today one of many popular mixed game variants. Many online operators offers both HORSE as well as HOSE, which is HORSE without the Razz (seven card stud low) game.