Saturday, 20 August 2011

A Primer on Mixed Poker Games

By Thomas Kearns


In an effort to add diversity and challenge to poker, mixed poker games were developed and are becoming increasingly popular in recent times in both cash and tournament games. Mixed poker is a form that offers alternative games between hands and therby allows its players to gain experience and expertise in several poker variants. Because of its appeal, major online poker rooms and casinos are including it as part of their game menu. This guide is meant to give the reader a basic structure of each of the most common games in mixed poker.

For those players new to mixed poker, I would advise that they pay attention and carefully track the progress in the games and understand that the ability to adapt a strategy in coordination with the poker type is paramount. The strategy and method of play, for example, are worlds apart when it comes to pot limit Omaha and no limit holdem. This is why a player's ability to go with the flow and do it well is so extremely important.

HORSE

If you watch the World Series of Poker, you have seen HORSE poker in action. It is a very popular form of mixed poker and includes Holdem, Omaha (Hi-Lo), Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud (Hi-Lo). The rotation of the button is the usual catalyst for a change of game, and the successful players will be expert in a number of poker variants. The game can be found in most of the major online poker rooms and casinos, and even tournaments dedicated solely to mixed poker play. The professional players will tell you that HORSE is arguably the most difficult form of mixed poker because of its requirement to undergo quick adaptations of strategy, betting patterns and reads depending upon which game is dealt. He who is expert enough to win a HORSE tournament knows that he has passed a major milestone in his career.

Mixed Holdem

Another of the mixed poker formats gaining followers, Mixed Holdem is a game that toggles between no limit, limit and pot limit betting structures. For bankrolls to be appropriately guaranteed, the blinds and antes are modified in coordination. It is mandatory for a player to keep on top of the game's progress and to not progress in their bankroll to make certain they are alive in the pot.

Mixed Omaha

Omaha in itself is a difficult game challenging even the pros and Mixed Omaha with its swaps between limit and pot limit betting structures demanding great flexibility is at the top of the degree of difficulty scale. Mixed Omaha games are not uncommonly played in a hi-lo variant, adding even more to the test of a players strategy adjustment skills. And add to all of this that some types of mixed Omaha switch between hi-lo and the standard game where the high hand wins the gold, and you have yourself a major brain sprain.

HEROS Poker

This is a new variant on the scene and is a version of HORSE poker, wherein the stud poker games are kept apart, thus offering a pleasant change of pace and will appeal to players looking for diversity in their play.

8-Game Poker

Possibly the most popular of the mixed poker types, 8-game provides a full rotation of Triple Draw 2-7, no limit holdem, fixed limit holdem, fixed limit Omaha hi-lo, 7-Card stud and pot limit Omaha. Becoming adept at 8-Game poker demands the player have an acute comprehension of the details inherent in each of the game formats. It is certainly an all encompassing game and offers the player abundant opportunity to gain a broad and intensive experience in several of the game's formats




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