What is Poker H.O.R.S.E ? Everything you Need to Know

Poker H.O.R.S.E has nothing to do with riding. This acronym is the name of a very specific form of poker. However, even frequent poker players may not be familiar with this obscure strand of poker.

That’s why the OnlineBasketballBetting.net team has decided to enlighten the betting community on the concept of horse poker.

We will take you through all the rules so you can play H.O.R.S.E on a Saturday night… Use a Party Poker bonus code once you’ve got the hang of it to play poker for real money.

H.O.R.S.E – The Basics

H.O.R.S.E is a mixed strain of poker. Naturally, its name derives from each of the games which it includes.

These 5 popular games are:

• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha
• Razz
• Seven-card stud
• Seven-card stud hi-low split-Eight or better

Admittedly the acronym is a little far fetched given that the games don’t all begin with the letter. However, regardless of this, H.O.R. S. E is a game that involves playing these 5 games in cycles.

To play, you need to know the rules of each individual game.

If you are a new player looking to familiarize yourself with the classics of horse poker, check out our Hold’em guide which includes Omaha poker.

The Rules

H.O.R.S.E includes one round of each game that it is made up of.

These must be played in a specific order.

1. Fixed Limit Hold’em comes first
2. Then, Fixed Limit Omaha Hi/Lo
3. Then Razz Low
4. Followed by Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
5. Once the last game is reached, the players return to Fixed Limit Hold’em

One important distinction is that every single game has a fixed limit. Conversely, pot limits or no-limit games are not allowed in this version of Poker.

Once you set the limits at the beginning of the game they will apply to everything. So, if the limits of the Omaha game were $10/$20, the Seven Card Stud game would have the exact same restrictions.

Another thing to bear in mind is that in tournaments, each time the blind level changes the games rotate as well. Even if it can seem quite complex, this game is actually very simple to play if you are comfortable with all the games which it includes.

Why Play?

The good thing about mixed games is that they utilize a higher skill and rely less on luck. Although, there is a chance that “first-time-lucky” newbies can win at a single game, such a complex combination of games requires an all-rounder.

It is also very likely that you will be up against more experienced players in these types of games. In professional tournaments, H.O.R.S.E is a more homogeneous game. This is because players who specialize in a particular type of poker don’t have an advantage. In this case, each player must really refine their strategy across each round instead of sticking to what they know.

Ultimately, this renders H.O.R.S.E a very challenging and ambitious game.

Where to play?

H.O.R.S.E. is rarely played live because it requires the dealers to have extra training. Many casinos evidently don’t think that this is a worthwhile investment. Nevertheless, if you live in a state where gambling is legal such as New Jersey, Nevada or Pennsylvania then it is worth inquiring at your local casino.

However, even without leaving the comfort of your home, there are many places to play this game online.

Stars Casino

Stars Casino NJ has often been cited as the best place to play H.O.R.S.E and with good reason. This operator provides good editorial content which introduces the game clearly and concisely.

They also have free poker tables in which new players can practice this mixed game before wagering real money.

This can be very advantageous for newer players.

888 Poker

Likewise, 888 Poker is also a platform that is often highly recommended. They offer frequent H.O.R.S.E tournaments for registered members.

However, they do specify that this game is often played by their more advanced players. This probably because they don’t have the tutorial aspect which Stars Casino offers.

The Professionals

H.O.R.S.E first became an official part of the World Series of Poker in 2002. On this occasion, Philly legend John Hennigan A.K.A “Johnny World” walked away with $117,320.

Other World Series of Poker victories occurred in:

• 2008, when the Vietnamese-American Scotty Nguyen received $1,989,120 from a $50,000 buy-in
• 1 year later David Bach walked away with $1,276,802, this was the peak of his poker career

Since then the format of the game has been partly modified into an 8 game mixed game format rather than 5.

However, mixed Poker games continue to be very important events at the World Series.

If you want a lesson from the pros, why not check out Ville Walbeck’s interview about H.O.R.S.E games on Poker News.