HORSE

Header banner

HORSE Poker (Mixed Game)

HORSE brings five poker variants together in one game, putting your skills to the test across different formats. From building a strong high hand to forming the lowest possible combination, each round presents a new challenge. Adapt your strategy, read the game and show you can handle more than one style of poker.


What Is HORSE Poker?

HORSE is a mixed poker game made up of five variants. Its name comes from the first letter of each game:

Rather than playing one poker variant throughout a session, HORSE rotates through all five. This tests your ability to adjust to different rules, hand rankings and betting situations, rewarding players with a broad understanding of the game.

HORSE is popular with experienced poker players because success depends on more than mastering a single variant. You need to understand the specifics of each game and know when to adapt your approach.


The Five Games in HORSE

The five variants fall into two main categories: flop games and Stud games.

Flop games: Hold’em and Omaha Hi/Lo

In these games, players receive private hole cards and use community cards dealt face up on the table. The community cards arrive in three stages: the flop, the turn and the river.

Stud games: Razz, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo

In Stud games, players receive a combination of face-up and face-down cards. There are no community cards, and exposed cards give you information about your opponents’ potential hands.

Hand rankings and strategies can differ across variants, so understanding the differences is essential to playing HORSE well.

How to Play HORSE Poker

HORSE follows a set rotation, with each variant played for one round before the game moves on to the next. The sequence is:

  1. Fixed Limit Hold’em
  2. Fixed Limit Omaha Hi/Lo
  3. Razz
  4. Seven Card Stud
  5. Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo

Once the Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo round is complete, the rotation starts again with Fixed Limit Hold’em.

You can check which variant is currently being played by looking at the game indicator at the top of the table window or on the table felt.

The dealer button is managed during the transition between games to keep the blind structure fair. When the game moves from Omaha Hi/Lo to Razz, the button remains in place so that the transition back to Hold’em after the Stud rounds doesn’t cause players to miss or pay extra blinds.

 

Betting Limits in HORSE

All five variants in HORSE are played using Fixed Limit betting. There are no Pot Limit or No Limit rounds.

The betting limits remain consistent throughout the rotation. For example, in a $5/$10 HORSE game, you play $5/$10 Fixed Limit Hold’em, followed by $5/$10 Fixed Limit Omaha Hi/Lo, and so on.

The size of each bet depends on the betting rules for the variant and the current street. Make sure you understand the betting structure before joining a game.

 

Hand Rankings in HORSE

Hand rankings depend on which variant is being played. A strong hand in one game may be much less valuable in another, so it’s important to know what you’re aiming for in each round.

  • Hold’em and Seven Card Stud: The Royal Flush is the strongest possible hand.
  • Omaha Hi/Lo and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo: The pot can be split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. A Royal Flush is the strongest high hand, while the best qualifying low hand must meet the Eight-or-better requirement.
  • Razz: The lowest five-card hand wins. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5, known as the wheel.

In the Hi/Lo variants, the pot is split only if there is a qualifying low hand. If no hand qualifies for low, the best high hand wins the entire pot.

For a closer look at poker hand rankings, visit our Hand Rankings guide.

 

HORSE Poker Strategy Tips

HORSE rewards versatility. You don’t need to be an expert in every variant before you start, but a solid understanding of all five games will help you make better decisions as the rotation progresses.

The key is preparation. The better you understand each variant, the more confidently you can approach the next round.

 

Why Play HORSE Poker?

HORSE is a great way to broaden your poker skills and add variety to your sessions. Instead of relying on one familiar format, you’ll need to switch gears regularly and apply a different strategy to each game.

It’s particularly appealing to players who enjoy mixed games and want to develop a more rounded understanding of poker. If you’re comfortable with all five variants, HORSE gives you the opportunity to put that knowledge into practice.

If you’re new to mixed games, start by learning the individual variants before taking on the full rotation.

 

Learn to Play HORSE Poker for Free

New to HORSE? Getting familiar with each of the five games is the best place to start. Practising at free poker tables can help you learn the rules, understand the rotation and build confidence before playing for real money.

You can explore each variant individually through our poker guides:

 

Explore More Mixed Poker Games

Once you’re comfortable with HORSE, why not explore other mixed poker formats?

  • 8-Game Mix: A wider rotation of poker variants that puts your skills to the test across even more formats.
  • Omaha: A community-card game that offers a different challenge from Hold’em.
  • Texas Hold’em: A classic choice if you want to focus on one of poker’s most popular variants.

Explore our Poker Games guide to discover more variants, learn the rules and find your next challenge.

Ready to put your poker skills to the test? Visit PokerStars on Betfair to explore the games available.