In an effort to add diversity and challenge to poker, mixed poker games were developed and are becoming increasingly popular in recent times in both cash and tournament games. Mixed poker is a form that offers alternative games between hands and thereby allows its players to gain experience and expertise in several poker variants. Because of its appeal, major online poker rooms and casinos are including it as part of their game menu. This guide is meant to give the reader a basic structure of each of the most common games in mixed poker.
For those players new to mixed poker, I would advise that they pay attention and carefully track the progress in the games and understand that the ability to adapt a strategy in coordination with the poker type is paramount. The strategy and method of play, for example, are worlds apart when it comes to pot limit Omaha and no limit holdem. This is why a player's ability to go with the flow and do it well is so extremely important.
HORSE Poker
Because of its role as a part of the World Series of Poker, HORSE has become the most-played mixed poker game type and is comprised of Holdem, Omaha (hi-lo), Razz, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud (hi-lo). The games are commonly changed out on the rotation of the button and thus requires an in-depth skill level of several types of poker. HORSE poker can be found at leading online poker sites and casinos as well as tournaments devoted solely to the game of mixed poker. Most players find HORSE to be arguably the game offering the biggest challenge because of its demands on a player to adapt strategies, reads and betting patterns on the fly depending on which game is currently being played. Professional players as well consider a HORSE tournament win as something that will remain with them forever.
Mixed Holdem
Another of the mixed poker formats gaining followers, Mixed Holdem is a game that toggles between no limit, limit and pot limit betting structures. For bankrolls to be appropriately guaranteed, the blinds and antes are modified in coordination. It is mandatory for a player to keep on top of the game's progress and to not progress in their bankroll to make certain they are alive in the pot.
Mixed Omaha Poker
Omaha in itself is a difficult game challenging even the pros and Mixed Omaha with its swaps between limit and pot limit betting structures demanding great flexibility is at the top of the degree of difficulty scale. Mixed Omaha games are not uncommonly played in a hi-lo variant, adding even more to the test of a players strategy adjustment skills. And add to all of this that some types of mixed Omaha switch between hi-lo and the standard game where the high hand wins the gold, and you have yourself a major brain sprain.
HEROS
This is a somewhat recent version of mixed poker and is essentially a variety of HORSE poker. It alternates the order of the stud poker games so that they are not played in a series, but apart from each other. HEROS poker does offer that change in tempo that many players find very attractive.
8 Game
Possibly the most popular of the mixed poker types, 8-game provides a full rotation of Triple Draw 2-7, no limit holdem, fixed limit holdem, fixed limit Omaha hi-lo, 7-Card stud and pot limit Omaha. Becoming adept at 8-Game poker demands the player have an acute comprehension of the details inherent in each of the game formats. It is certainly an all encompassing game and offers the player abundant opportunity to gain a broad and intensive experience in several of the game's formats.
For those players new to mixed poker, I would advise that they pay attention and carefully track the progress in the games and understand that the ability to adapt a strategy in coordination with the poker type is paramount. The strategy and method of play, for example, are worlds apart when it comes to pot limit Omaha and no limit holdem. This is why a player's ability to go with the flow and do it well is so extremely important.
HORSE Poker
Because of its role as a part of the World Series of Poker, HORSE has become the most-played mixed poker game type and is comprised of Holdem, Omaha (hi-lo), Razz, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud (hi-lo). The games are commonly changed out on the rotation of the button and thus requires an in-depth skill level of several types of poker. HORSE poker can be found at leading online poker sites and casinos as well as tournaments devoted solely to the game of mixed poker. Most players find HORSE to be arguably the game offering the biggest challenge because of its demands on a player to adapt strategies, reads and betting patterns on the fly depending on which game is currently being played. Professional players as well consider a HORSE tournament win as something that will remain with them forever.
Mixed Holdem
Another of the mixed poker formats gaining followers, Mixed Holdem is a game that toggles between no limit, limit and pot limit betting structures. For bankrolls to be appropriately guaranteed, the blinds and antes are modified in coordination. It is mandatory for a player to keep on top of the game's progress and to not progress in their bankroll to make certain they are alive in the pot.
Mixed Omaha Poker
Omaha in itself is a difficult game challenging even the pros and Mixed Omaha with its swaps between limit and pot limit betting structures demanding great flexibility is at the top of the degree of difficulty scale. Mixed Omaha games are not uncommonly played in a hi-lo variant, adding even more to the test of a players strategy adjustment skills. And add to all of this that some types of mixed Omaha switch between hi-lo and the standard game where the high hand wins the gold, and you have yourself a major brain sprain.
HEROS
This is a somewhat recent version of mixed poker and is essentially a variety of HORSE poker. It alternates the order of the stud poker games so that they are not played in a series, but apart from each other. HEROS poker does offer that change in tempo that many players find very attractive.
8 Game
Possibly the most popular of the mixed poker types, 8-game provides a full rotation of Triple Draw 2-7, no limit holdem, fixed limit holdem, fixed limit Omaha hi-lo, 7-Card stud and pot limit Omaha. Becoming adept at 8-Game poker demands the player have an acute comprehension of the details inherent in each of the game formats. It is certainly an all encompassing game and offers the player abundant opportunity to gain a broad and intensive experience in several of the game's formats.
