What is HORSE poker? Mixed games explained

HORSE is a mixed game where the table rotates through five poker variants, usually changing every orbit or every set number of minutes. The name comes from the first letter of each game. Mixed games test all-round skill: you can’t win by knowing only one game.

The five HORSE games

Letter	Game	Key idea
H	Hold’em (fixed limit)	Two hole cards, five community cards
O	Omaha Hi-Lo (Eight or Better)	Four hole cards; pot split between best high and best low hand
R	Razz	Seven Card Stud where the lowest hand wins
S	Seven Card Stud	Seven cards each, no community cards
E	Stud Eight or Better	Stud with the pot split between high and low

In HORSE, all games are usually played fixed-limit: bets come in fixed sizes.

What is “Eight or Better”?

In Hi-Lo games, half the pot goes to the best low hand, but only if it has five different cards 8 or lower (aces count low). If no one qualifies, the high hand wins the whole pot. The best possible low is A-2-3-4-5.

Other mixed games

8-Game Mix: HORSE plus No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha and 2-7 Triple Draw.
Dealer’s choice: the dealer picks the game each orbit; common in home games.

Should beginners play mixed games?

Not at first. Learn Texas Hold’em well, then try Omaha and Seven Card Stud. Mixed games are a fun next step and are often softer than Hold’em, because many players are weaker in one or two of the games.

FAQ

What does HORSE stand for in poker?

Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud and Stud Eight or Better.

What is Razz?

A Seven Card Stud game where the lowest hand wins.

What does Eight or Better mean?

In Hi-Lo games a low hand must have five different cards of 8 or lower to win the low half of the pot.

Should beginners play HORSE?

Not at first; learn Hold’em, then Omaha and Stud before trying mixed games.