HORSE poker rules form the backbone of one of poker’s most respected mixed-game formats. If you want to move beyond no-limit hold’em and test your overall skill set, HORSE forces you to think like a complete player: from Hold’em to Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz to Seven-Card Stud and Stud Hi-Lo, each variant demands different instincts, math and table sense. Below I’ll walk you through the exact rules for every round, practical strategy, common mistakes, and how to build confidence playing mixed games both live and online.
What is HORSE and how the rotation works
HORSE is an acronym that stands for the five games in the rotation: H = Texas Hold’em, O = Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or better), R = Razz, S = Seven-Card Stud, E = Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo (8 or better). A typical HORSE match is played in fixed-limit format, although you’ll see mixed-limit and tournament adaptations in modern play. The games rotate in that order after a predetermined number of hands or orbits; in live cash games the dealer or floor usually announces switches at regular intervals.
Think of HORSE like an orchestra. Each instrument (game) has a different tone and role, and a good bandleader (the player) must know how to contribute to every section. Dominating mixed games means mastering all five instruments, not just one.
General rules that apply across the rotation
- Most HORSE games are fixed-limit; bets and raises are set amounts based on the stakes. Know the small and big bet structure before you play.
- Dealer position and blinds/antes follow the game being dealt (e.g., stud games use antes and bring-in). Always watch for the button and the bring-in marker.
- When the game switches, cards are burned and the deck is reshuffled according to the new variant’s dealing rules.
- Tournament HORSE often uses a time-based rotation; cash HORSE may rotate after a fixed number of hands.
Detailed HORSE poker rules: Each game explained
H — Texas Hold’em (Limit)
Deal: Two hole cards to each player, five community cards (flop, turn, river). Betting: small bets pre-flop and flop, big bets on turn and river. Best five-card hand wins. Standard hand rankings apply. Strategy: avoid overvaluing marginal holdings in limit play; pot control is harder, so focus on relative hand strength and implied odds.
O — Omaha Hi-Lo (Eight-or-better)
Deal: Four hole cards to each player, five community cards. Each player must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to make both high and low hands if they want to scoop both pots. The low hand must qualify as eight-or-better (no card higher than an 8) and uses five distinct cards. Pots are split between the best high and best qualifying low; if no qualifying low exists, the high wins the entire pot.
Common mistakes: using more than two hole cards, misunderstanding scooping conditions. Example: With A-2-9-K and community A-3-4-7-K, your best low is A-2-3-4-7 (a wheel if present). Strategy: prioritize hands with both high and low potential (double-suited ace-low combos).
R — Razz (Seven-Card Low)
Deal: Seven cards to each player (three down, four up in stages). Objective: make the lowest five-card hand possible. Straights and flushes do not count against you; aces are always low. The best possible Razz hand is A-2-3-4-5 (the "wheel"). The bring-in is required from the highest upcard; betting structure follows the limit format.
Key nuance: In Razz, “worst-looking” upcards on opponents are actually good for you because they reduce their chance of making a low. Play aggressively when you are showing good low candidates and be cautious about chasing a one-card miss.
S — Seven-Card Stud (High)
Deal: Two down, one up initially, followed by three more upcards and a final downcard, with betting rounds in between. Objective: make the best five-card high hand. The player with the lowest exposed card posts the bring-in. Strategy: pay attention to exposed cards—stud is a game of visible information. Players frequently misjudge outs because they ignore the cards already dead on the board.
E — Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo (Eight-or-better)
Deal: Same as stud, but the pot can be split between the best high and a qualifying low (8 or better). Low qualifiers must have five distinct cards of rank eight or lower. Because of the split nature, discourage one-way play—strong scoop hands (able to win both halves) are the most profitable.
Hand ranking differences to memorize
- Razz low uses ace-to-five lowball ranking: A2345 is best. Straights and flushes are ignored for low evaluation.
- Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo use the “eight-or-better” qualifier for the low half. Be precise about what qualifies.
- Always check variant-specific rules at a new table—casinos and home games can use slight house-rule variations.
Practical strategy tips for HORSE
1) Balance your practice. Don’t be a one-game specialist trying HORSE for the first time; allocate study time for every component. I remember my first mixed-game night: I could bluff expertly in Hold’em but almost broke even in Stud and Razz, which showed me quickly where my leaks were.
2) Position and discipline matter. In limit formats, the value of position is slightly muted versus no-limit, but in mixed games the position swings wildly depending on the round. Tighten up hands entering Razz and Stud, where visible information can punish loose calls.
3) Know when to scoop. In Hi-Lo games, hands that can win both halves (e.g., A-2 double-suited in Omaha Hi-Lo) are premium. Folding a potential scoop due to fear of the high losing is a common mistake.
4) Bankroll and variance. Mixed games reduce the frequency of hero-risking all-in scenarios typical of no-limit poker, but variance still exists, especially because some players are much weaker at certain games. Maintain appropriate bankroll cushions for mixed-limit play.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Misreading bring-ins and antes in stud: fix by announcing brings/antes clearly and watching first betting actions.
- Overvaluing high hands in Razz: remember that what is a monster in hold’em can be a dead hand in Razz.
- Playing OESD (open-ended straight draws) as if they’re equally strong in every game: draw equity varies by structure—compute outs with the specific variant rules in mind.
Live vs online HORSE: what changes
Online HORSE often has more hands per hour and may be offered in ring games and fast-fold formats. Live games offer physical tells, and the pace is slower which benefits deeper strategic thinking. If you want to practice quickly, online tables give repetition; if you want table-sense and reading players, live is irreplaceable. For reliable resources and practice tools, check sites dedicated to mixed games and training, including introductory pages such as keywords which compile game formats and community tips.
How tournaments handle HORSE
Tournament HORSE rotates by clock rather than hand count. Blinds/antes increase, and sometimes structure switches to non-limit or mixed-limit variants for specific events. Play tight during blind escalation and look for edges on opponents who excel at one or two of the five games but lack overall balance.
Practice drills to improve your HORSE game
- Single-variant focus: Spend a week playing only Razz drills, reviewing hands where you folded too early or chased bad draws.
- Two-game runs: Play alternating sessions of Hold’em and Omaha Hi-Lo to practice switching gears between community-card thinking and split-pot considerations.
- Record and review: Record sessions (where allowed) or take detailed notes on hands; studying exposed cards in Stud will dramatically improve your reads.
Etiquette and rules at a mixed-game table
Be explicit when you declare actions, especially when switching games. Ask the dealer or floor when you’re unsure about bring-ins, betting amounts or rotation policy. Respect table etiquette: don’t splash the pot, expose cards unnecessarily, or slow-roll a clear winner. Clear, calm communication keeps mixed-game tables professional and enjoyable.
Checklist before you sit in
- Confirm limit stakes (small/big bet sizes).
- Ask how many hands/orbits per rotation or whether time controls apply.
- Clarify bring-in rules and dealer button procedures.
- Set a bankroll stop-loss and a learning goal for the session (e.g., “focus on improving Stud upcard reads”).
Final thoughts — why learn HORSE poker rules
Mastering HORSE poker rules makes you a more complete poker player. Mixed games sharpen fundamentals: hand reading, pot control, selective aggression, and the ability to adapt. Whether your aim is to compete at higher-stakes mixed-game tables or simply to become a better all-around player, understanding the intricacies of each HORSE variant is essential.
For a mix of theoretical guides, community forums, and practice tables, see resources like keywords where beginners and experienced players alike discuss formats and strategy. Start with focused practice on your weakest game, track progress, and over time you’ll discover the confidence to rotate through HORSE with skill rather than guesswork.
If you’d like, I can provide a printable quick-reference sheet of HORSE poker rules and variant-specific cheat-sheets you can take to the table. Tell me which game you struggle with most and I’ll tailor the guide.
