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When we enter the poker world, several variations take the cake, one of which is HORSE poker. It's not exactly a poker type but a game format that offers you a combination of different poker variants in one. In fact, the name HORSE is actually an acronym representing these different poker games played in rotation.
In HORSE poker, the game type changes after a set number of hands or a set period of time. Therefore, your poker skills must be top-notch in multiple disciplines. This brings forth an extra layer of challenge and strategy to the game. HORSE is also played in the World Series of Poker.
If you want to ace your next HORSE poker game, here's a quick guide to learn how to play HORSE Poker. Ahead, we walk you through the gameplay, HORSE poker rules, and more.
What is HORSE Poker?
Before we dig deep and learn more about the poker horse rules, let's first understand what is HORSE poker in detail. HORSE poker is a mixed game played in casinos or tournaments like the World Series Event. However, due to their popularity, you will find HORSE games online on some of the popular platforms as well. While it is one of the limit games, different betting structures can also be followed like no-limit or pot-limit. HORSE in poker incorporates five different poker variations, which include:
Seven Card Stud
Eight or Better (Stud/Hi-Lo)
Now that you know what is HORSE in poker, let's understand the gameplay!
HORSE Poker Game Hand Rankings
Since it's a mixture of five poker games, the hand ranking depends on your current poker type. So, when it comes to HORSE poker games, you must understand the best hand rankings of each of the poker variants.
In Hold'em and Omaha, you strive to make the best five-card hand using a combination of hole cards and community cards. The best hand in both variants is a Royal Flush. The other top hands include Straight Flush and Four-of-a-Kind.
In Seven Card Stud, you get seven cards and must make the best five-card hand. Again, a Royal Flush is the best hand possible. The hand rankings are the same as Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
Razz is a lowball variant of Seven Card Stud where the goal is to make the lowest possible hand. In Razz, the best hand is a wheel or bicycle, which includes A-2-3-4-5.
Eight or Better is a split-pot variant where the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best low hand. In these games, the best high hand is still a Royal Flush, while the best low hand is the wheel or bicycle.
How to Play HORSE Poker Online?
HORSE poker is a popular mixed-game format that combines five different poker disciplines into one exciting rotation. Now, you already know that HORSE in poker includes Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Razz Poker, Seven Card Stud, and Eight or Better.
The HORSE poker rules remain the same for both online and offline games. In HORSE tournaments or cash games, each of these five games is played for one full circle or orbit around the table before moving on to the other. This means every player can participate in each game before the rotation returns to Hold'em.
The current game being played is generally indicated at the top of the online table-border, so the player is well aware. This is also a great way to avoid any confusion. In live games, the dealer will announce and place a card representing the current game on the table for the same reason.
Usually, the HORSE poker game is played with a fixed-limit betting structure and runs for eight hands.
HORSE poker game switches between Flop games, which include Hold'em and Omaha where players have hole cards and share community cards, and Board games. The board games include Razz and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, where some cards are dealt face-up.
To win, you must master the HORSE poker rules and strategies of each variant, understand hand rankings, and adapt to their position at the table. This is how to play HORSE poker online.
How to Play Hold'em in HORSE Poker?
Let's get started with the first game, H, which stands for Hold'em. While Hold'em is most commonly played as a no-limit game, here, it's played in a fixed-limit format. Each player receives two hole cards and post blinds. Betting begins with fixed-size bets matching the big blind.
The flop reveals three community cards. This is followed by another round of betting at the same bet size. Then, the turn and river add one card each, doubling bet sizes after the turn.
Final betting occurs after the river. During the showdown, we get our winner who has the best five-card hand. Unlike no-limit Hold'em, betting moves forward as per the preset increments. This helps maintain a structured pace throughout the game.
How to Play Omaha in HORSE Poker?
The O stands for Omaha Hi-Lo. In Omaha hi-lo, you prioritize value and aim for either the high or low half of the pot. You must use your two-hole cards and three community cards to form the best five-card hand. However, never make the mistake of overestimating hands like two pairs in Omaha hi-lo. Instead, go for strong hands like four-of-a-kind.
How to Play Razz in HORSE Poker?
Razz is a variant of seven-card stud played only with low hands. The R in HORSE stands for Razz, and the objective is to form the lowest possible hand.
In a HORSE mix, Razz is played ace to five. Therefore, you cannot count straights and flushes. The best hand here is A-2-3-4-5, which is known as a wheel or a bicycle. The game starts with antes and a bring-in bet from the player showing the highest-up card. Subsequent betting rounds start with the lowest hand showing. The other games that are remaining are Stud and Eight. Let's move on.
How to Play Stud in HORSE Poker?
S in HORSE stands for Seven-Card Stud. This game is similar to Razz. But the crucial difference is that here, you focus on a higher hand. After antes and dealing, the player with the lowest-up card starts the action.
How to Play Eight or Better in HORSE Poker?
HORSE Eight or Better is a variant of seven-card stud. Here, players aim for the best high and low hands to split the pot. After Antes, each player receives three cards, and the lowest door card initiates the betting. Five rounds of betting follow, with additional cards dealt face-up. A showdown is needed in the end to give us the winners. With the pot split between the best high and qualifying low hands, the strategy involves assessing starting hands for potential high and low combinations.
Comparison of Games in HORSE
Now, let's take a look at a quick overview to give us a comparison between all the HORSE games.
| Variant | Format | Community Cards | Hole Cards | Blinds + BTN | High Hand Ranking | Number of Betting Rounds | Ante | Bring-In | Maximum Number of Players | Starting Hand Strategy | Common Variations/Side Bets |
| Hold’em | Fixed Limit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Multiple | Yes | No | 9-10 | Tight-aggressive | No |
| Omaha | Fixed Limit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Multiple | Yes | No | 9-10 | Hand selection key | Pot-limit Omaha |
| Razz | Fixed Limit | No | Yes | No | No | Multiple | Yes | No | 8-10 | Lowball strategy | No |
| Seven-Card Stud | Fixed Limit | No | Yes | No | Yes | Five | Yes | Yes | 8-10 | Starting hand key | Roll-your-own |
| Stud Hi/Lo | Fixed Limit | No | Yes | No | No | Five | Yes | Yes | 8-10 | Dual-purpose hands | Eight-or-Better |
Horse Poker Strategy
Now that you have learned how to play the game, let's unpack the top HORSE strategy to ensure you ace each game without fail.
Choose to Play Big Pots in Games Where Your Expertise Lies
As you know, HORSE poker combines five top poker variants. So, the best thing you can do is see where your expertise lies and try big pots in those games. It's definitely an underrated HORSE strategy, but it can help you make a mark.
Pay Attention to Stud Poker
In Stud poker, keeping track of the up cards visible to all players is crucial. Since Stud is a showdown game with limited bluffing opportunities, understanding the visible cards helps assess hand strength and potential drawing odds. By remembering up cards, players can better gauge their hand's chances at showdown and make informed decisions regarding betting and folding.
Follow the HORSE Poker Rules
Most players forget one crucial thing: following the poker fundamentals. This especially enhances success in games like Razz. You have to prioritize playing your position to gain a strategic advantage. Always avoid excessive bluffing and bluff only when the situation warrants it. Stick to strong starting hands and fold weaker ones to curb losses.
Horse Poker Variations
Did you think HORSE poker was the only mixed game? Well, C.H.O.R.S.E and C.H.O.R.S.E.L are mixed-game formats combining different variants to test players' versatility.
C.H.O.R.S.E adds Chowaha or Crazy Pineapple for an equal mix of community card and stud games.
C.H.O.R.S.E.L further includes lowball variants.
