Introduction to H.O.R.S.E

H.O.R.S.E. is a fun and exciting mix of different poker games that has been growing in popularity lately. A big reason for this is the much talked about $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event that was launched in 2006. But H.O.R.S.E. is also played at a lot lower stakes, both by online poker players and in card rooms across the globe.

H.O.R.S.E. is a combination of five different poker variations: (H)oldem, (O)maha (usually hi-lo), (R)azz (a low version of Seven card stud), (S)tud (traditional Seven card stud), and (E)ight or better (Seven card stud hi-lo). There is also a version where Razz is left out, called S.H.O.E or H.O.S.E. Let’s take a closer look at the different games of H.O.R.S.E.

Texas Holdem is a game that most people already know. But in short every player gets two hole cards and a total of five community cards are put on the board. The winner is the player showing down the best five card poker hand. In H.O.R.S.E. holdem is usually played as limit or no-limit.

Omaha is similar to Holdem. The difference is that each player is dealt four hole cards and has to use exactly two of them. In Omaha hi-lo the pot is split between the best hi hand and the best qualified low hand (all cards has to be under eight with no pairs).

Razz is the lowball version of Seven card stud. Each player is dealt a total of seven cards, three dark and four open. The winner is the player with the best low hand. The best possible hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5.

Stud, or Seven card stud is played with a total of seven cards, three dark and four open. The game is won by the player with the best five card poker hand.

Eight or better is the hi-lo version of Seven card stud. Here the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualified low hand. If there is no low, the high hand takes the whole pot.

To become a good H.O.R.S.E. player you have to be a complete poker player who is comfortable playing most games. This is the reason why the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event in WSOP is so popular among the experienced poker pros. $50,000 is off course a bit steep for most of us, but there are several poker rooms offering H.O.R.S.E. at a more suitable level for recreational players.

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