How to Play HORSE Poker

Want to learn how to play HORSE poker? Our guide explains exactly how this fascinating game works.

In addition, we’ll discuss the game’s history, as well as sharing some expert HORSE poker strategy advice.

What is HORSE Poker?

Let’s start by explaining what is meant by the term “HORSE” in poker. It’s actually an acronym, where each letter represents a different type of poker:

Hold’em
Omaha Hi-Lo
Razz
Seven Card Stud
Eight Or Better

In other words, HORSE isn’t really a type of poker in itself. Instead, HORSE poker rules dictate that five distinct games are played and are cycled through until the tournament is finished.

By mixing so many forms of poker together, it reduces any edge a single-game specialist might have. In addition, it requires the mastery of several disciplines, so it’s virtually impossible to win without being a genuinely skilled player.

HORSE poker is generally played with a fixed-limit betting structure. It’s possible to play as either a cash game or a tournament, though it’s most often played in tournament form.

HORSE History

Mixed game formats like HORSE in poker have been around for as long as poker itself. After all, “Dealer’s Choice” has always been a staple of home games, not to mention card rooms across the country.

However, in the late 1990s, high-stakes cash game players sought to create a tougher and more diverse poker format. HORSE proved an ideal solution, as it combined stud poker with flop-based formats across five different games.

The appeal of HORSE in poker grew after its debut appearance at the 2002 World Series of Poker. Won by John Hennigan, the $2,000 buy-in tournament attracted a total of 156 entrants.

HORSE at the WSOP

The post-Moneymaker boom didn’t just cause a spike in the popularity of Hold’em; the demand for HORSE poker online also grew rapidly. Many top-rated poker sites in the US and worldwide have added more mixed events to their schedules, as did the WSOP.

In 2003, both HORSE and SHOE appeared on the WSOP calendar together, while in 2006, the HORSE buy-in was raised to $50,000. This tournament eventually evolved into what is now known as the Poker Players Championship.

2007 saw a total of three HORSE poker tournaments on the schedule – the first time the WSOP had ever featured three mixed game tournaments.

In 2010, the $50,000 HORSE switched to an eight-game format and became the Poker Players Championship. However, it didn’t halt the popularity of HORSE – just a year later, at the 2021 WSOP, no fewer than four tournaments were listed. The buy-ins were $1.5k, $3k, $10k and $25k.

Notable WSOP HORSE Winners

Over the years, a number of prominent players have claimed HORSE bracelets at the World Series of Poker, including:

John Hennigan (2002 and 2018)
Doyle Brunson (2003)
Chip Reese (2006)
Freddy Deeb (2007)
Scotty Nguyen (2008)
David Bach (2009 and 2017)
Phil Ivey (2010)
David Baker (2012)
Jason Mercier (2016)
Josh Arieh (2023)

Okay, that’s enough background. It’s time to learn how to play HORSE poker. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started, before we drill down into the complete rules.

Select a poker site. If you’re looking to play online, you’re going to need to choose a poker room. We’ve recommended several secure and trustworthy sites, so check them out and pick one.
Register an account. You won’t be able to get involved with a HORSE poker game online until you’ve registered to play. Add a few personal details to the signup form and verify your email address to get started.
Make a deposit. Head to the cashier, choose your desired payment method and follow the instructions on your screen. Remember to take the minimum deposit requirement into consideration, as well as any special deposit bonus codes.
Visit the lobby. Now it’s time to find a HORSE poker game. Whether you’re looking for a cash game or a tournament, use the appropriate filters to find what you need. Sadly, not all sites offer HORSE games these days, but PokerStars is one that does.
Buy into the game. Take your seat in a HORSE tournament by paying the buy-in. After receiving confirmation, you’ll need to wait for the tournament to begin.
Start with Hold’em. The name HORSE comes from the order in which the five poker games are played. Therefore, the first round is always Hold’em. After each level, the game switches in order: Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Stud, Eight Or Better.
Switch to Omaha Hi-Lo. At the beginning of each level, as the blinds go up, the game changes to the next in sequence. Depending on the exact rules, the game may change every orbit. The games continue to change at the end of every level.

HORSE Rules

Once you know how to play the five variants of poker, HORSE rules are a breeze.

To start a game of HORSE, you’ll need a standard 52-card deck of cards, poker chips, and a table for up to eight people.

A standard game uses a fixed-limit structure, though it’s certainly possible to modify selected levels to incorporate pot limit and no limit rounds. No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo could work, for instance.

The usual five-card poker hand rankings apply, except for Razz and the low components of Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Eight-or-Better.

How to Deal HORSE

In tournament poker, the HORSE rules usually state that the game changes with each blind level. How frequently that happens depends entirely on the event.

A turbo tournament will naturally progress much more quickly than a deepstack event. As such, you could spend anywhere from ten minutes to an hour on one particular game before switching.

When playing a cash game, you might see the game change with every completed orbit. That usually means every eight hands, at a full table, but it’s also possible to play HORSE poker six-handed.

The rules of each specific round are exactly as you’d expect them to be:

Hold’em: All players receive two hole cards and a maximum of five community cards. The best five-card hand wins at showdown, but you can pick up the pot by forcing the other players to fold. Two compulsory blinds are posted.
Omaha Hi-Lo: A similar structure to Texas Hold’em, only with four hole cards instead of two. Additionally, the pot is split in two, with one half for the strongest hand and the other awarded to the best qualifying “low” hand.
Razz: This is a lowball version of Seven-Card Stud. The aim is to have the lowest possible hand. Straights and flushes do not count against you, so 5-4-3-2-A is the nuts in Razz. As a form of Seven-Card Stud, no blinds are posted.
Seven-Card Stud: The standard rules of how to play Seven-Card Stud apply here. Everyone starts with three cards, two of which are dealt face-down. You’ll receive up to three more exposed cards and one additional face-down, for a total of seven cards.
Eight-Or-Better: Similar to Omaha Hi-Lo, but for Seven-Card Stud. You’re aiming to win two different pots – one high, and one low. The rest of the structure is identical to regular Seven-Card Stud.

HORSE Poker Variants

There are plenty of mixed game variants out there in the wild, though most are quite rare. As such, you’re not likely to find them on your favorite poker apps and websites.

Here are some examples.

HOSE: Perhaps the most common variant. It’s identical, just without the Razz levels.
SHOE: A variation of HOSE poker – the same games, but a different order.
CHORSE: Just like HORSE, only the game begins with a round of Crazy Pineapple.
CHORSEL: As above, with a round of Lowball (Ace to Five) poker thrown in.
THORSE: This includes the usual HORSE games, plus a 2-7 Triple Draw level.
TOE: A mix of three games: 2-7 Triple Draw, Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Eight Or Better.

HORSE Poker Strategy

Okay, so you’ve learned the rules of the game. But how do you play HORSE poker effectively? Work the following tips into your game, and you’ll be off to a great start.

Pay attention. It’s important to pay close attention to your opponents to try and learn their tendencies. But when you’re playing in a mixed event like HORSE, you need to watch the plaques as well. When the game changes from Razz to Stud, then Stud to Eight-or-Better, it’s easy to play the wrong game once in a while. Losing concentration will be costly.
Tight isn’t right. When discussing tournament strategy, you’ll often hear the old adage “tight is right”. But that really applies more to No Limit games. HORSE is usually played with a Fixed Limit structure, so there’s less risk. It’s more of a mathematical game, and hands tend to play themselves. There’s no need to wait.
Don’t slowplay big hands. Similarly, it’s almost always a bad idea to slowplay, particularly in a multi-way pot. Remember, this is a Fixed Limit game. There’s not going to be an opportunity to shove on the river. Every bet you fail to make results in a smaller pot overall.
Aim to win both pots. In the Hi-Lo split games, your main target should be to scoop the pot. Any three cards 7 or lower are great for Stud, ideally with an ace. In Omaha poker, the best hand is A-A-2-3 double suited. Regardless, starting off with a high hand is much better than going after the low since a qualifying low is not always guaranteed.
Always call a river bet. Of course, there are bound to be exceptions. But generally speaking, it’s almost always a terrible idea to fold to a single bet on the end. You’ll probably be getting at least 10-1 pot odds, and it’s just mathematically wrong to fold in the majority of spots.
Ease off on your weak game. Ideally, you’ll be good at all five games. But if you do have a particularly weak area, it makes sense to slow down during that particular level. You can’t simply sit the round out entirely, though. Your fellow players will not be happy about the abuse of etiquette if you continually leave for an entire level.

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How to Play HORSE Poker – Rules and Strategy

What is HORSE Poker?

HORSE History

HORSE at the WSOP

Notable WSOP HORSE Winners