A growing trend among poker players today is mixed poker games.  Mixed poker games like H.O.R.S.E., H.O.S.E, Ha, eight game, and others are games that feature multiple traditional poker games, usually played in consecutive order.  The incidence of online poker site offerings of mixed poker games is on the rise as player after player discovers that mixed poker fun can be a great break from playing the “same old, same old” all the time.  Mixed poker games are usually known by their acronyms, which stand for the games in each particular mix. For instance, in H.O.R.S.E. poker, the games that are played (usually in order) are holdem, Omaha, razz poker, seven card stud, and eights or better.

Skills Required for Mixed Game Poker

What makes mixed poker games so unique is that unlike a traditional poker game where you master the concepts and then hone your skills, players must become proficient in multiple games – and develop the ability to switch back and forth between games frequently.  H.O.R.S.E., which is the most popular mixed game of poker, requires that players be somewhat familiar with and (optimally) be able to play five different games with distinctive rules and exclusive guidelines.  That is why mixed games provide the challenge that many poker players are looking for – because to play a mixed game like H.O.R.S.E well, it means that you are an “all around” poker player.  However, if your level of skills is not “up to par” with at least three of the five games (for H.O.R.S.E) or a majority of the games in the mix – them you will likely win one game and then turn around and lose those winnings in the next round to another game.

Mixed Poker Games – Practice Really Does Matter

Although honing your poker skills should be practiced by any person who wants to be successful, it is particularly important to practice, practice, practice when it comes to mixed games. When playing mixed poker games, pay particular attention to your strengths and weaknesses so that you can formulate a practice plan for the games where you seem to be getting beat the most.  Successful mixed poker players know that practice really does make perfect – and can help them to have a fatter bankroll.

Playing off Your Opponent’s Weaknesses in Mixed Poker

Detecting inadequacies in the competition is a big part of becoming a good mixed poker player.  Just as you are likely to display weaknesses, you should detect the weaknesses in your opponents and play off of them the best you can.  Detecting weaknesses may be obvious – the player always loses (no brainer), or may be less obvious because players can always “luck out”.  Players who play with a timid stance during some games but take a more aggressive stance during others are likely giving you a clue – timid translates to insecure about the game and aggressive translates to security in their skills.  Size up your opponents in order to have more confidence in your own game and to use their weak points against them to go in for the kill.