Some Basic H. O. R. S. E. Strategy

04.30.09 |

So, you think that you are ready to play H.O.R.S.E. poker? I will assume that if you are even considering trying your casino hand at poker mixed games- you have a thorough understanding of the rules and strategies for individual games of Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Stud Eights or Better. If you don’t understand these as individual games, I suggest you review the rulebook a little bit more before you try H.O.R.S.E.

The most basic H.O.R.S.E. strategy is to play to your strengths. There are very few people out there who are uniformly equal players in all five games. It’s just human nature that there are some games that you will play better than others. Luckily, this can be part of your strategy. Use the games that you excel in as a chance to build up your winnings. That way, even if you take a small hit during your less favorable games, you will still be able to come out a winner.

You may also find it helpful to stick to lower limits when you first start out on the H.O.R.S.E. scene. Some players think that it is a good strategy to jump right in with the really experienced players, and use their example as a learning tool. I can see the validity in that argument- but there are much cheaper ways to acquire the same kind of H.O.R.S.E. education. Try playing online, or at the lowest stakes you can find in a brick and mortar casino. You will need the practice, but good strategy means not wasting your money.