H.O.R.S.E Poker Rules

Introduction to H.O.R.S.E

H.O.R.S.E is a mix game poker variant, with the letters which games are being played in the game. H.O.R.S.E consists of Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud High and Eight-or-better also known as Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo.

H.O.R.S.E quickly popular in many casinos poker rooms as it mixes different poker variants, reducing the edge one single player can have over the other players and making the game more diversified. It also encourages players that play different variants of poker to play a game together. When playing H.O.R.S.E each game is played one round, or orbit as it’s called, and then switches to the next game in line. All the games in H.O.R.S.E are played as fixed limit games, which means that Omaha Hi/Lo and Texas Hold’em which is usually played in another format is also played in Fixed Limit.

5BTC or 111% + 111 Free Spins!
New players only. Exclusive 111% Welcome Bonus + 111 Free Spins
Casino

H.O.R.S.E has become very popular in recent years, both live but especially online as well. The World Series of Poker now hosts H.O.R.S.E tournaments every year and many other tournament series worldwide have also integrated the format. Online poker sites such as Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker are among the few online poker sites actually offering the game, but they also provide great action for players wanting to learn and play the game.

There are many other mix games similar to H.O.R.S.E, such as H.O.S.E, S.H.O.E, C.H.O.R.S.E, 8-game and 10 games. The other mix games have either eliminated or expanded the variants of poker involved in the game but is very similar to H.O.R.S.E.

To start to play H.O.R.S.E you will need to know the rules of all the variants as well as how the basic game play works. You can read that in the next chapter.

250% Extra + $125 Free Chip!
New players only. 250% on 1st Deposit + $125 Free Chip
Casino

Basic Game Play and Game Rules of H.O.R.S.E Poker

The basic game play of H.O.R.S.E depends on what game is being played. All the different games have different rules applying to them, some of the games are blind games and others don’t use blinds, but uses the cards to determine who is forced to contribute to the pot and has to act first.

Common for all the games being played in H.O.R.S.E is that each variant lasts one round of play and then switches to the next variant in line. This means that on a 6-max table of H.O.R.S.E each variant get six hands of play, before switching to the next variant. All games are also played in Fixed Limit, no matter what the game is usually played in. This makes it easy for players to understand the betting structure throughout the game and also makes it easier for players to learn to play the game.

Igaming.org has all the explanations you could need about all of the games in H.O.R.S.E available, so if you click the link below to the game or games you want to learn more about the rules of for example Omaha Hi/Lo, you will be taken to their rules and game play descriptions.

 

177% up to 5BTC + 77 Free Spins!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 177% + 77 Free Spins
Casino

Hold’Em

Omaha Hi/Lo

Razz

Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo

Eights-or-better – Also known as Seven Card Stud 

 

177% up to 5BTC + 77 Free Spins!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 177% + 77 Free Spins
Casino

When you have read and understood how all of the above games work, you are now ready to play H.O.R.S.E online against other opponents.

If you do not believe that you are ready yet, read on as we have answered some frequent asked questions about HORSE for you.

What is the Poker Card Game HORSE and What Does HORSE Stand for?

HORSE is a mixed poker game where the letters HORSE each stand for one poker variant. 5 poker card games make up the mixed game with the games being played with a Fixed Limit (FL).

What are the 5 Poker Games in HORSE?

The 5 poker games in HORSE are all represented by a corresponding letter. The word HORSE is an acronym and stand for Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud High and Eight-or-better. Eight-or-better is also known as Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo.

How to Play HORSE Poker?

Before playing a HORSE poker game, you will have to make sure to understand all the rules. You do not want it to happen to have to ask for the HORSE rules while sitting at the table. Not understanding how to play one of the poker variants of his exciting card game will significantly hinder your play.

In general, to increase your odds of winning in HORSE you must be strong in all card games. While you do not necessarily have to be equally strong in all five poker games, it doesn’t hurt your chances. Most HORSE players are all-round and proficient poker players who excel in one or more of the card games. Successful HORSE players are considered the best poker players in the world, because they master all five card games included in HORSE poker.

In HORSE poker, players at the table will play one round (orbit) of each variant. For example, imagine that the game starts with Hold’em and you are in the Small Blind, the next time that you post the Small Blind, the variant played will be Omaha Hi/Lo.

Can you Play HORSE Tournaments?

While HORSE is not the most played poker card game, it surely has the most loyal group of poker enthusiasts and players. Most of poker’s legends agree that it is the ultimate card game and winning a HORSE tournament puts you among the best poker players ever.

The World Series of Poker is probably the best time of the year for those who wish to play HORSE tournaments. Competing against an international field of top poker players, only the best is crowned HORSE world champion and takes home a WSOP bracelet. The HORSE rules at the WSOP are the same as everywhere else and include the same 5 poker variants. Nevertheless, dynamics of HORSE at WSOP can differ, such as blinds, blind levels, starting stack and number of players seated at a table.

Playing online HORSE tournaments with the convenience of being in your own home is also possible. Should for some reason you forget the exact rules of the game, you can always quickly look them up. For almost two decades, PokerStars has established itself as a true advocate of the poker game and HORSE in particular by headlining the mixed game in its flagship poker tournament series, WCOOP and SCOOP. Other online poker rooms where you can play HORSE include Party Poker and GGPoker.

Who are the best HORSE Poker Players in the World?

Often cited as the best players in the history of poker, some of the best HORSE players include Kassem Deeb, David Bach and David Reese, who have all won WSOP HORSE Championship bracelets. Other players who master all five variants and have earned recognition are Phil Ivey, David Singer and Andy Bloch. Who really is to be considered the best all-round poker player will nevertheless always remain a heated debate.

Although poker legend Doyle Brunson has won one WSOP H.O.R.S.E bracelet in 2003, it may come as somewhat of a surprise and counterintuitive to find him ranked 57th in the Hendonmob poker database when looking at career tournament earnings in HORSE.