The first time you heard about HORSE poker, you were probably rather confused. Sure, the game was very popular in the Wild West back in the day, but what do horses have in common with playing cards?
The actual HORSE poker, indeed, has no connection to the noble animal. The acronym in its name refers to different games that make up this particular type of poker. While they all represent varieties of poker and are based on general poker rules, there are considerable variations in rules and strategies.
This is exactly why HORSE poker is considered the ultimate skill test among the players. A lot of poker players specialise in one type of poker. This doesn’t mean they can’t play other versions, but they will be visibly better in the one they consider their specialty.
But when you play HORSE poker, you have to be consistently good at all the games and be quick enough to switch strategies between rounds.
Our beginner’s guide will introduce you to the game and give some tips on how to play HORSE poker like a pro.
As we mentioned above, HORSE poker consists of several games, five to be precise. They are all variations of poker, that’s why the entire game is also considered to be poker. Its name comes from the first letters of the games comprising it and goes as following:
HORSE poker was first introduced at the 2002 World Series of Poker. Participation was offered at a $2,000 buy-in. Professional poker player John Hennigan won the game, taking home $117,320.
In 2006 World Series of Poker hosted the first HORSE event with the buy-in of $50,000. Chip Reese, who won first place, got to walk away with $1,716,000.
When playing HORSE, poker variations come in the order they are mentioned in the name. After each round, the game switches to the next in line, until the rotation comes a full circle and goes back to the starting game.
If you are playing HORSE poker at a casino, the dealer will notify you about the switch both verbally and by placing a card with the name of the next round on the table. In online games, you will see the name of the next round at the top of the table.
Playing HORSE poker (and being good at it) requires the players to know a wider range of rules, have a firm grasp on all five games, understand different poker betting strategies that work the best for each variation, and have the flexibility to jump from one to another depending on the round.
As HORSE poker is a combination of five games, each round is played according to the rules of that specific game. Things like hand ranking, presence of the dealer button, etc. will depend on the game you are currently playing.
However, there are some general rules to be observed when playing HORSE poker too.
You will need to stay alert and concentrated at all times to keep in mind which game you are playing and what your goal is, as well as remember the best strategy for that particular game.
As a rule, out of all five games, the majority of players are most familiar with Texas Hold’em. At the start of the game, each player gets two hole cards that are dealt face down. There are also five community cards on the table. The objective of the game is to make the strongest possible hand with five out of seven available cards.
One thing players should be aware of when sitting down at the Hold’em table during a HORSE game is that it is played at fixed limit betting, unlike a usual game of Hold’em that offers a no limit format.
The general objective of Omaha Hi-Lo is similar to that of Texas Hold’em but there are several differences in the process. Players in Omaha get dealt four hole cards, and must use two of them in combination with three out of five community cards to form a winning hand.
Usually played at pot limit or no limit, Omaha in HORSE poker is also played in a fixed limit betting format.
In razz, your objective is the exact opposite of the two previous games. Instead of creating the highest possible hand, you need to create the lowest possible hand to win. For this, each player receives seven cards, three of them face down and four face up.
Same as other HORSE games, razz is played in fixed limit betting format.
Hands dealt in seven card stud are similar to razz hands but the objective of the game is different. Each player receives three cards face down and four cards face up that they use to create the highest possible hand. There are no community cards in stud, so the players can only use the cards they are dealt.
Seven card stud consists of five betting rounds: ante, third street, fourth street, fifth street, and seventh street.
Eight or better starts similarly to 7 card stud and is, in fact, a variation of the game. But in this game there are two objectives. The first one is to create the highest ranking hand using seven cards you are dealt. The player who achieves this receives half of the pot.
The other objective is to create the lowest ranking hand possible but with a special condition. You can’t have a card higher than eight in your low hand to qualify. If you complete both these requirements, you qualify for the second half of the pot. However, if the lowest hand in the round has a card higher than eight, the player doesn’t qualify for the win, and the second half of the pot also goes to the player with the highest ranking hand.
HORSE poker isn’t as widespread in online casinos as any of its featured games. This can be explained by the fact that you will require software that can adapt to all five games, which can be quite challenging.
But you can still find a place to play online. And of course, once you feel confident enough, you can participate in the World Championship of Online Poker, of which HORSE poker is a part.
Online HORSE poker is played exactly the same way as in in-house casinos. Games follow the same order of rotation and the same rules. The only significant difference is that when the round changes, instead of the dealer announcing the next game and placing a plaque with its name on the table, you will have a notification on the screen that will stay there until the end of the round.
As in any game that combines skill with luck, you will need to develop a viable strategy to enhance your experience, manage your bankroll, and become an expert HORSE poker player. We collected some essential tips that will help you master the game.
Learn all games. It goes without saying that you should be well familiar with the rules to all games comprising HORSE poker. Don’t think that knowing one game gives you a good understanding of all others just because they belong to the poker family. But theoretical learning is not enough. Playing them separately until you get comfortable will prepare you for a more intense environment at the HORSE table.
Adapt your strategy to each particular type. Your strategy for Texas Hold’em may not always bring the best results when playing hi-lo games. Yet, you will be shocked to see how many players ignore this and play all games with the same strategy. Get an upper hand by adjusting your strategy to each specific round.
Play big in the game you know best. Knowing the fundamentals of each game in HORSE poker is essential for a successful game, however it is quite understandable that you will be better at one or two of them and not as good at others. While it is considered poor etiquette to sit out some rounds just because this is not “your” game, it is absolutely acceptable to play cautiously. Save playing the big pots for the games that you are most comfortable with.
Apply fundamental strategy in the games you are less familiar with. Each poker variant has its own rules and related strategies but fundamentals will always apply to all of them. That’s why, if you are playing the game that is not your forte, turn to the basics:
Adapt to your opponents and exploit their weaknesses. This holds true for any poker game, but in HORSE poker these weaknesses become even more apparent, as many players don’t understand the rules of all featured games or won’t adapt their strategies accordingly. Finding their weak spots and using them to your advantage gives you a better opportunity at winning.
Playing HORSE poker is fun and a good test for your ultimate poker skills but also quite challenging. However, if you could avoid some common mistakes many HORSE poker players make, you may find yourself in a better position next time you are at the table.
Below we have collected some most common mistakes HORSE poker players make along with some tips on how to avoid them.
1. Getting into a game of HORSE poker without prior knowledge of all constituent games
It is perfectly fine to be stronger at one game than the other. You probably gravitate towards a certain poker variation more because it is more interesting for you, suits your playing style or your character. But many players sit down to play HORSE without having played all the game before or even knowing the rules to them.
Tip: Make sure you understand the basics to all the games, know their rules and primary objectives before you play HORSE poker.
2. Playing all games with one strategy
Having a viable strategy when playing any poker game is essential. But since all games in HORSE have different goals, playing process, and rules, the strategy that works for Texas Hold’em won’t yield the same results in Stud. Yet, many players ignore this and play every game with the same strategy.
Tip: Your ultimate task is to be flexible with your strategy. Stay alert at every round and adjust accordingly.
3. Playing big in the games you are less familiar with
Some players are tempted by big pots and get involved in the rounds that are not their forte. As a result, they lose more than necessary to players who have more experience with this particular game.
Tip: Save your big game for the poker variation you feel more comfortable in, have more experience with, or just know better.
4. Forgetting poker fundamentals
Playing out of position, acting on every single hand when it is more reasonable to fold, and much more — some players tend to forget that these rules apply not only to one poker version but are the fundamentals of any and every poker game.
Tip: No matter which version of poker you are playing, always remember the basic principles and apply them to the game, even more so when you are playing one of those HORSE games that you are not the strongest at.
5. Not managing your bankroll throughout the game
Managing your bankroll is as important for HORSE poker as it is for a standalone poker game. Many players forget they have at least five rounds to play and play in a way that soon leaves them with no funds.
Tip: Manage your bankroll so that it can last you till the end of the game and you don’t have to go over the budget limit.
As any skill, poker requires constant practice and improvement. When it comes to HORSE poker, it requires five times as much effort, as there are five different games and five different skill sets.
Practicing HORSE poker isn’t much different from practicing any poker game. The best way to hone your skills is to combine theoretical studies with practical playtime. For more detailed tips, take a look at our guide on how to study poker.
As any gambling game, HORSE poker requires a responsible attitude, especially since it is more complex and can be challenging for players who are just starting out.
Don’t start playing until you have fully mastered the basics of each game. Naturally, you may be better in one or two of the games but you should understand the rules and be familiar with strategies for all of them.
Before starting to play, set a budget that won’t affect your financial and mental well being if you lose it. Accept losses as payment for entertainment and never chase them. Manage your bankroll reasonably, so that it lasts you as long as you want to play.
Stick to your own limits and don’t go over the budget or play longer than intended. HORSE poker requires a lot of skill, but it is still a game of chance, so never treat it as a way of gaining financial profit.
HORSE is considered a sophisticated variation of poker that includes several types of poker that are played in a certain order and rotate after each round. As it requires being good at all five games, HORSE poker is widely regarded as the ultimate test for a player’s poker skills.
If you want to try your hand at HORSE poker, make sure you understand the rules to each game. You might be an expert at one poker variation, but if you don’t know at least the basics of every other game, you won’t see much success at the table.
Another important skill is flexibility to adjust your strategy according to the rotation and catch other players’ weaknesses across all games. Mastering this will require ongoing practice even when you are not playing against real opponents.
Is there any indication that you are ready to play HORSE poker? In fact, there is. When you are fully comfortable playing each game and feel like (and have probably even tried) taking on some stronger, more experienced opponents, it is a good sign you are ready to try your first HORSE poker gambling game.
We inform you that this website uses cookies. To consent, click the ‘Agree’ button or continue browsing. To learn more about our privacy policy, click here.
Comments