Since launching in late 2024, Phenom Poker has quietly—but decisively—set itself apart from the online poker crowd. With a fresh take on rakeback and a stable of respected ambassadors that includes Ben Heath, Phil Laak, and Dan “Jungleman” Cates, the platform has charted its own course in a crowded market.

What really makes Phenom Poker stand out, though, is its unapologetic commitment to mixed games. A quick glance at the daily tournament schedule tells the story: while most sites revolve almost entirely around no-limit hold’em—with maybe a dash of PLO—Phenom Poker flips the script. Here, hold’em is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.

Why Phenom Poker Went All-In on Mixed Games

That strategy didn’t start as a grand master plan. According to Tournament Director Andrew Yeh, a WSOP bracelet winner in the $10K HORSE event, the emphasis on mixed games evolved organically.

“Initially, we did want to have a lot of mix,” Yeh explains. “But the focus was more on no-limit hold’em and PLO, because that’s where 90–95% of players are coming from.”

The reality, however, was tougher. Competing head-to-head with established giants offering massive guarantees and endless volume wasn’t realistic. So Phenom Poker leaned into what others weren’t offering.

“It’s very hard to pull those players over when we don’t have the same guarantees,” Yeh says. “So we had to offer something players actually want—and right now, that’s mixed games.”

The end goal was always clear.

“We want to be a site where everyone can play every game imaginable,” Yeh adds. “Mixed games are going to be one of our biggest strengths, especially early on.”

‘If We Can Experiment With It, We Will’

Focusing on mixed games comes with challenges most poker sites prefer to avoid—but it also fills a major gap in the online ecosystem.

“It’s hard to find places to play mixed games online,” Yeh says. “That’s why the majority of our offerings right now are focused there.”

Phenom Poker caters to both ends of the spectrum, offering small-stakes tournaments for practice alongside higher buy-ins for serious competitors sharpening their skills for live events like the World Series of Poker.

“Players want to improve, to prepare for a bracelet,” Yeh explains. “Whether it’s single games or full rotations, mixed games are just fun—and that’s what we’re trying to deliver.”

That philosophy isn’t just marketing talk. On any given day, players might find themselves battling against elite names such as Brian Rast, Huck Seed, or Dan Cates, all of whom have WSOP hardware to their names.

Built by Players, Shaped by Feedback

One of Phenom Poker’s defining traits is how closely its tournament schedule is shaped by player input. Ambassadors and everyday grinders alike are encouraged to speak up.

“Player feedback plays a huge role,” Yeh says. “People ask for specific mixes, certain buy-ins, or time slots that work for their groups. If we can make it happen, we try.”

While some feedback comes directly from pros, everyone has a voice through channels like Phenom Poker’s Discord server. And Yeh insists those voices matter.

“We’ve been listening since day one—not just on tournaments, but cash games, features, everything,” he says. “Our schedule came out in November, and about 30% of it has already changed.”

Popular tournaments get bigger guarantees. Underperforming ones get swapped out—often for something more experimental.

“Whatever we can experiment with, we’ll do it,” Yeh says plainly.

Tradition, Innovation, and Unexpected Favorites

One of the surprises for the Phenom team has been how player preferences differ from expectations.

“We thought people would prefer single-game mixed tournaments like deuce or badugi,” Yeh admits. “But it turns out they want rotational mixes—six-game, nine-game, twelve-game.”

Some classics haven’t aged as well as expected.

“Straight Omaha eight-or-better used to be popular,” Yeh says. “Now it’s one of the least-played games. I’m actually about to replace it.”

In its place? A mix of rare and creative formats.

“Our most unusual game is probably Dramaha,” Yeh explains. “It’s incredibly hard to find online, especially in tournament form.”

Phenom has also introduced original creations like Fun Mix, Circus Mix, and Super Circus Mix, along with obscure formats such as Archie, which Yeh believes has never appeared in a mixed tournament before.

A Phenom Poker Series Is Coming—Soon

With so much innovation already on display, the natural question is when Phenom Poker will roll out a full-fledged tournament series. Yeh doesn’t give dates—but he does drop a strong hint.

“We definitely want to do a Phenom series,” he confirms. “Ideally either right before or right after the WSOP.”

The reasoning is simple.

“Mixed-game tournaments online are really hard to find,” Yeh says. “If you offer them with big guarantees, people are going to pay attention.”

For mixed-game enthusiasts, the message is clear: Phenom Poker isn’t just another site—it’s a playground for poker’s most diverse formats.

And if you want to make your mark when the site’s first major series arrives, you might want to start brushing up now on badeucy 2-7, double-board Omaha, and Archie 66.