HORSE Poker Rules
| HORSE Rules |
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1. Introduction H.O.R.S.E poker is a popular variation of tournament event style poker wherein the game style changes in each of the game rounds. In a widely accepted version of this style of the poker game called the HORSE rotation, the game changes every time a round is completed. In tournaments, the variation changes after every round or after a fixed amount of time. The five games included in this variation are – H: Hold'em Poker O: Omaha Style Poker R: Razz Poker S: Seven-card Stud high Poker E: Seven-card stud hi-lo Eight or better For success in HORSE, all games must be thoroughly understood by the player and must be played with great deal of skill. Players weak in even one of these disciplines are seen to be easily defeated by more skilled players. This variation separates the amateurs from the pros – beginners relying solely on luck tend to lose out quickly. 2. Rules -Players start the tournament in the standard way, the tournament beginning as Hold’em. -At predetermined intervals, the next variation is employed. These intervals may be each time the blind is increased, each time a round is over, or something completely different. -This timing is completely upto the host of your HORSE game. -The poker variation varies all through the tournament, the progressions followed until a single player remains with all the chips. -In the ‘cash’ game, blinds or antes are not increased. They remain at a constant value throughout the tournament. -As can be seen, the rules of a HORSE game depend upon the host. However, the above should give you a fair idea of what to expect. -As they are believed to be a measure of a player’s skill, they tend to be pretty high in stakes. 3. Basic Strategy A fairly obvious tactic often employed by the truly great is to take the maximum from the variation you are good at while minimizing damage in the variations you’re not so good at. So, if you happen to be good at Razz, win all you can at Razz, take all the risks you can and then minimize your betting in the Omaha Style, a variation you might not be good at. However, the absolute strategy, one taking large amounts of time and money, is to be a master of the variations. The HORSE tournament variation requires constant questioning. You must estimate your weakness and your strength continuously throughout the course of the game. If you are particularly good at a particular version, make sure you do not trickle away all your money on a completely different variation. A lot of practice, particularly in your weak variation is required before a horse game. Your chips must be saved for the games or rounds where you are strong or when you have a very strong hand. 4. Individual Games Texas Hold'Em: The best hand is a composite hand consisting of both your hole cards and the community cards. Omaha Hi/Lo: To win, you may have the highest hand, have the lowest hand or even win with both the highest and the lowest hands in the same round. Razz: The winning player has to have the lowest set comprised of five cards from his hands. Ace to five is the lowest set in this style. Seven-card Stud high Poker: The highest possible five card hand must then be achieved according to standard poker rules. Eight or better: The winning player has the best possible hand consisting of the seven cards available at the end of the game. |
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| 5 Card Draw |
| 5 Card Stud |
| 7 Card Stud |
| 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo |
| Crazy Pineapple |
| HORSE |
| Omaha Hi |
| Omaha Hi-Lo |
| Razz |
| Texas Holdem |