HORSE tournaments are the ultimate test of a well-rounded poker player’s skills, combining five distinct poker variants: Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Eight-or-Better Stud Hi-Lo. Unlike single-variant tournaments, HORSE challenges players to adapt continuously, making preparation both crucial and complex. To succeed, you’ll need more than just basic knowledge—you need strategic depth, focused practice, and adaptability across all five formats.
Understand the Structure and Rotation
Before you begin practicing, it’s essential to understand how HORSE tournaments work. Each game in HORSE rotates after a set number of hands or time intervals. This constant rotation demands fast transitions between game styles, each with unique betting structures and optimal strategies.
Familiarize yourself with the order of games:
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H: Limit Texas Hold’em
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O: Omaha Hi-Lo (Omaha 8)
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R: Razz (Lowball Stud)
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S: Seven Card Stud
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E: Stud Eight-or-Better (Stud Hi-Lo)
Knowing when your strongest and weakest games are coming up can help you prepare for swings and manage your stack wisely.
Identify Your Weakest Games First
One of the biggest mistakes in HORSE preparation is practicing all five games equally. Instead, identify your weakest variant(s) and devote the majority of your training time to improving those. Use hand history reviews, solver tools (where applicable), and coaching resources to patch up strategic leaks in specific games.
Use Hand History Review for Each Variant
Because HORSE is composed of limit games, subtle betting and folding decisions matter more than all-in heroics. Reviewing hand histories helps you:
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Spot missed value bets or unnecessary calls
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Recognize errors in split-pot games like Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo
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Adjust starting hand selections based on position and opponent tendencies
Analyze a session from each variant separately. Trying to evaluate multiple variants at once can be overwhelming and counterproductive.
Simulate Real Tournament Conditions
Practicing each game in isolation is helpful, but you should also simulate the rotation structure to get used to shifting gears. You can:
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Join mixed-game cash tables or sit-n-go formats that mimic HORSE
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Use home games or software to manually rotate games every 8–10 hands
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Practice switching mental gears between hi-only and hi-lo split formats
This kind of practice helps develop rhythm, time management, and game awareness under realistic tournament pressure.
Study Advanced Strategies for Split-Pot Games
Three of the five HORSE variants (Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud Hi-Lo, and Razz) involve playing for low hands or split pots. These games require different thinking than traditional high-hand formats.
To improve:
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Learn how to “scoop” rather than just “chop”
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Understand when to fold second-best low draws
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Memorize hand selection that favors hands with scoop potential (e.g., A-2-3 in Omaha Hi-Lo)
Proper understanding of split-pot dynamics will prevent you from bleeding chips in complex pots.
Watch High-Level Mixed Game Streams
One of the best ways to internalize advanced play is by watching how elite players navigate HORSE or other mixed game tournaments. Focus on:
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Their positional awareness
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How they play marginal hands in limit formats
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How they shift gears between passive and aggressive styles based on the game type
Players like Daniel Negreanu and Scott Clements are known for mixed-game expertise and often provide commentary that reveals their thought process.
Track Your Progress and Stay Disciplined
Use a journal or tracking app to note your performance in each game. Include:
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Win rates by variant
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Notes on recurring mistakes
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Mental game observations (tilt, confusion during game switches, etc.)
Over time, you’ll start seeing patterns and can adjust your study plan accordingly.
FAQ
What is the best way to improve in Razz, which is rarely played?
Razz-specific strategy content is limited, but the best approach is focused hand history reviews, watching Razz final tables online, and practicing on low-stakes tables. Prioritize avoiding high cards and chasing only strong starting lows like A-2-3.
How can I transition better between the different game formats?
Practice rotation drills—play a few hands of each game consecutively, just like in a real HORSE structure. Keep a mental checklist for each game’s key strategy focus to help reset quickly when switching variants.
Are cash games helpful for HORSE tournament preparation?
Yes, but with caution. Cash games are useful for practicing individual variants in depth, but they lack the blind escalation and rotation pressure found in tournaments. Use both formats strategically—cash for mechanics, tournament play for decision-making under structure pressure.