HORSE (poker)

H.O.R.S.E. is a form of poker commonly played at the high stakes tables of casinos. It consists of rounds of play cycling among:

Texas Hold 'em,
Omaha eight or better,
Razz,
Seven card Stud, and
Seven card stud Eight or better.

H.O.R.S.E. is a limit game, including hold 'em. However, in some tournament situations (such as the 2006 World Series of Poker event), the final table is no-limit hold 'em.

A H.O.R.S.E. tournament was held at the World Series of Poker in 2004 when it was won by Scott Fischman. The 2006 World Series H.O.R.S.E. tournament had a record-setting $50,000 entry fee and was won by Chip Reese, who netted $1,716,000 for first place. The $50,000 buy-in tournament returned for the 2007 WSOP, along with seven satellite events with a $2,250 buy-in whose winners earned seats into the $50,000 buy-in event. The $50,000 event, which awarded $2,276,832 to first place, was won by poker professional Freddy Deeb. Separate H.O.R.S.E. events with $2,500 and $5,000 buy-ins were also on the 2007 WSOP program. The 2008 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E event was won by Scotty Nguyen, who received $1,989,120 for his victory.

C.H.O.R.S.E adds Chowaha or Crazy Pineapple to the mix. This is convenient at such team events as BARGE, when it helps to have as many flop games as stud games. C.H.O.R.S.E.L adds lowball.

T.H.O.R.S.E.H.A. is an 8-Game Mix that includes more games than any other mixed poker game. PokerStars started offering this game in 2008. It consists of limit 2-7 Triple Draw, limit Texas hold 'em, limit Omaha Hi-Lo, limit Razz, limit Seven-card Stud, limit Seven card Stud Hi-Lo, no limit Texas hold 'em and pot limit Omaha.