Basics of HORSE poker

HORSE itself isn't so much a game as a rotating selection of games. Play rotates periodically between five different poker variants, all played with fixed limit betting. The games can rotate every hand, every orbit around the poker table, or after a prescribed period of time. The small bet and big bet limits are often listed with the game at a cardroom. HORSE $3/$6, for example, indicates the small bet is $3 and the big bet is $6. This number doesn't vary from game to game, though the rules regarding betting rounds can vary from game to game.

HORSE consists of the following five games:

H: Texas Hold'Em

The most popular game in poker today. Texas Hold'Em is played with each player receiving two cards face down before an opening betting round at the small-bet limit. Once betting completes, the dealer burns (discards) a card and lays down three community cards, known as the flop, followed by another round of betting.

Following this round, the bet limit increases to the big bet size, and a 4th community card is dealt, known as the turn. A betting round proceeds as before, before a 5th and final community card, known as the river, is dealt, and one final betting round takes place before players turn over their cards, and the best five card poker hand receives the pot.

O: Omaha Hi/Lo (Eight or better)

Gameplay in Omaha Hi/Lo (also known as Omaha 8) proceeds just like Hold'Em except for two major differences:

1. Players receive four cards instead of two. Whereas with Hold'Em, players can use one, both or none of their cards to make a hand... in Omaha, you MUST use two of your four cards, and you MUST use three of the community cards. No exceptions. For example, if the board has a 7, 8, 9 and 10... in Omaha you do not have a straight if you have a Jack... but you do if you have a 7 and a Jack, or a Jack and a Queen. And if the board has a 7 and 8, you do NOT have a straight if you hold a 9, 10 and Jack.

You can only use two of your own cards to make your hand. Not three, Not one. Only two.

2. Hi/Lo games split the pot in half. Half the pot contests for the best high poker hand as always. However, the other half contests for the Low: five unpaired cards that are all 8 or lower (Ace counts as 1). The best five card low possible is 5,4,3,2,Ace. The worst possible is 8,7,6,5,4.
It is possible for no low hand to be possible, if the board does not have at least 3 unpaired cards 8 or lower. In this case, the high hand wins the entire pot.

R: Razz

Razz is like Seven Card Stud, except that you're trying to make the best low hand possible: five unpaired cards whose high card is the lowest. Straights and flushes don't count against you, but pairs do. 5,4,3,2,Ace is the best low. Unlike the low rules in Omaha and Stud Hi/Lo, you do not need all your cards to be 8 or lower. Jack-9-6-4-3, for example, can win a Razz pot (it's not common, though: a typical winning low's high card is usually 8 or lower).

Lows are measured by the highest card in the lowest five card hand possible. Forexample, if you have Ace,2,3,4,9... you are beaten by 8,7,6,5,4 because the 8-high is lower than you 9-high.

S: Seven Card Stud

Each player in 7 Card Stud receives two cards face down and a 3rd card face up before betting begins at the small limit (this round is referred to as 3rd street, the number referencing the number of cards everyone has). The conclusion of that round brings a 4th card and another round of betting after that. If a pair is on the board after 4th Street, players may bet at the big limit if they wish.

However, after this round all betting is at the big limit, and a 5th card is dealt before another betting round. Play continues until the 7th and final card is dealt face down, and when the final round of betting is completed, players turn their cards over and the best five card hand wins.

E: Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo (Eight or Better)

Play in 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo proceeds exactly like regular 7 Card Stud except, as with Omaha Hi/Lo, the pot is split, and the best low-hand with all cards eight or lower wins half the pot. As with Omaha, if there is no low hand, the high hand takes the entire pot.


HORSE is a very involved game, and it takes some degree of competence in all five games listed. Your best bet, unless you wish to play for fun, just to sample the different games, is to practice and get better at each game individually before you attempt to play HORSE competitively. Each game in itself is very complex and winning strategies at each take considerable time and practice to develop.

This can be a challenge if you don't play poker online, as games like Razz, Stud and Stud Hi/Lo at affordable stakes can be difficult to find even if several cardrooms exist in your area. A good idea is to download online poker software and practice for free at freerolls and the play money tables... or to play at home with friends.

As a result, if your local cardroom does spread HORSE at low stakes, it may be worth your while just to bite the bullet and play. Be observant, play carefully, and try to learn all you can about every game spread when you play.

Best of luck.