Mixed Poker refers to a format where poker variations, such as No Limit Hold’em or Pot Limit Omaha, are rotated between throughout the game.
The most common mixed format is 8-Game Mix and HORSE, but mixed formats can also be available as part of individual tournament and cash games.
HORSE
HORSE rotates through five poker variants, rather than eight. The name is an acronym which stands for Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud and Eight-or-Better Stud (Stud Hi-Lo). Typically, these games will be played in a fixed-limit betting structure and will rotate after a set number of hands or a full orbit of the table.
8-Game Mix
8-Game Mix is a mixed-game poker format that rotates through eight different poker variants. The variations include community card, stud, draw, high-hand, lowball and split-pot games. This makes 8-Game one of the most comprehensive formats in poker and challenges the player’s ability to adapt to various game types and betting structures.
8-Game Mix and HORSE will rotate between:
Limit Hold’em
A community card variant which follows the same gameplay and hand rankings as Texas Hold’em. However, you use two hole cards and five community cards to make the best five card hand possible and bets and raises are made in fixed increments, resulting in a slower-paced game which rewards strategy and patience.
Omaha Hi-Lo
A community card split-pot variant. You will receive four hole cards, of which two must be used alongside three community cards. The pot is then divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand, which must be 8-high or lower, creating opportunities to win either half of or the whole pot.
Razz
A lowball stud poker variant in which the lowest five-card hand wins the pot. Like Seven Card Stud, you will receive 7 cards, but straights and flushes do not count against the hand, meaning A-2-3-4-5 is the strongest possible holding.
Seven Card Stud
A traditional stud poker variant which is played without community cards. You make the best five-card hand possible from the seven cards dealt to you. The cards are dealt with a mixture of face-up and face-down cards over several rounds. Careful observation of the cards available to other players and astute hand-reading abilities are key in this format.
Stud Hi-Lo
A split-pot stud poker variant which is also known as Eight-or-Better Stud. The best high hand is rewarded half of the pot, whilst the best qualifying low hand, 8-high or lower, receives the remainder of the pot. Creating hands that can compete for both halves of the pot can lead to opportunities to win the entire prize.
8-Game Mix will also rotate between:
2-7 Triple Draw
A draw poker variant in which the objective is to make the lowest possible 5-card hand. You are dealt five cards and can discard unwanted cards and draw replacements three times. Unlike in most poker games, straights and flushes count against your hand, making 7-5-4-3-2 the best possible holding.
No Limit Hold’em
A popular community card variant. You use two private hole cards and five community cards to make the best possible hand. As the name implies, there is no limit on the amount of chips that can be wagered. Strategic bluffs and all-in decisions can change the game as players compete for the large pots that the no-limit wagering creates.
Pot Limit Omaha
A community card poker variant, where you receive four hole cards and must use exactly two of these, alongside three community cards, to build your hand. Your bet is limited by the current size of the pot. This can lead to dynamic and thrilling gameplay, with powerful drawing hands, large pots and post-flop decision-making all key.
