There are many poker variants, and the most well-rounded players know how to play many of them.
Here are the games 🌝 that are a part of the popular 8-Game Mix –
Players well-versed in several games garner a lot of respect among 🌝 poker professionals. So much so that the World Series of Poker (WSOP) plays 8-Game Mix for the prestigiousR$50,000 Poker Players 🌝 Championship.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about 8-Game Poker Mix.
How to Play 8-Game Mix Poker
8-Game Poker, which 🌝 is also known as 8-Game Mix and simply 8-Game, is a poker variant comprised of eight different poker disciplines –
2-7 🌝 Triple Draw Limit Hold'em Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Razz Seven Card Stud Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better No-Limit Hold'em 🌝 Pot-Limit Omaha
The games are usually played in the order listed above. (T.H.O.R.S.E.H.A. is sometimes used as an acronym). On occasion, 🌝 the variations may be randomised to establish a new predetermined rotation.
In online events, the game tends to change after a 🌝 specific time interval. In live tournaments, the format usually changes after either an orbit or a particular number of hands.
To 🌝 play 8-Game Mix Poker, players must be familiar with three different types of poker –
Flop, Board, and Draw Games.
Flop Games: 🌝 No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better are all flop games. They involve a flop, 🌝 turn and river. All these games utilise blinds.
No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better are 🌝 all flop games. They involve a flop, turn and river. All these games utilise blinds. Board Games: Razz, Stud, and 🌝 Stud H-Lo 8 or Better are all board games. Each player has their own board in front of them as 🌝 opposed to shared community cards. All these games utilise antes and a bring-in.
Razz, Stud, and Stud H-Lo 8 or Better 🌝 are all board games. Each player has their own board in front of them as opposed to shared community cards. 🌝 All these games utilise antes and a bring-in. Draw Games: The only draw game in the mix is 2-7 Triple 🌝 Dra. Each player exchanges (AKA draw) cards after each betting round. Like the Hold’em and Omaha games, 2-7 Triple Draw 🌝 uses blinds.
Furthermore, players should already be familiar with split-pot games. Both Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better and Stud Hi-Lo 8 🌝 or Better will award both the high and low hands half of each pot.
8-Game Mix Poker Rules
The best way to 🌝 understand the rules for 8-Game Mix Poker is to appreciate the rules for each game. They are nuanced and varied.
So, 🌝 understanding each is crucial if you hope to play 8-Game Mix Poker successfully.
Click each of the games to learn more 🌝 about the rules for each:
8-Game Mix Poker Hand Rankings
Standard poker hand rankings apply to most games in 8-Game Mix Poker. 🌝 The exceptions are Razz and 2-7 Triple Draw, which we’ll get into more below.
For the other games, the high hands 🌝 are what you’ve no doubt become accustomed to making.
A Royal Flush is the best possible hand all the way down 🌝 to a high card.
Hi-Lo 8 or Better Hand Rankings – The two Hi-Lo games – Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better 🌝 and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better – are split-pot games. The best high hand wins half the pot in these 🌝 variations, while the other half goes to the best low hand.
In both, there must be a qualifying low hand comprised 🌝 of five unpaired cards, eight or lower. Aces can count as a low card but also play as high if 🌝 needed.
Remember, it is possible for a player to win both the high and low hands, referred to as “scooping.”
For instance, 🌝 if they have a hand like, 8♣7♣3♣2♣A♣ then have a qualifying low as well as an ace-high flush. This player 🌝 could put them in contention to scoop the pot.
Finally, say in either game, there is no qualifying low hand (again, 🌝 five unpaired cards eight or lower). Then the best high hand wins the entire pot.
2-7 Triple Draw Hand Rankings – 🌝 Straights and flushes count against your low hand, and aces are always high. So, the best possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2, 🌝 hence the name of the game. The second-best hand is 7-6-4-3-2, the third-best 7-6-5-3-2, and so on. Razz Hand Rankings 🌝 – In Razz, straights and flushes do not count, and an ace is always the lowest card. So, the best 🌝 possible Razz hand is 5-4-3-2-A, also known as "the wheel.” The second-best hand in Razz is 6-4-3-2-A, the third-best 6-5-3-2-A, 🌝 and so on.
Strategy for 8-Game Mix Poker
There’s no single strategy for success at 8-Game Mix Poker. Remember, you have to 🌝 know strategies for eight different games!
Tip #1: Know the Rules – The best strategy is to make sure you’re confident 🌝 with the rules of each game. Then delve deeper by getting familiar with various strategies for each street.
– The best 🌝 strategy is to make sure you’re confident with the rules of each game. Then delve deeper by getting familiar with 🌝 various strategies for each street. Tip #2: Identify Your Strength & Weaknesses – Be sure to identify your strengths and 🌝 weaknesses in each game. Are you proficient in the flop games but not so much in the board games? If 🌝 so, maybe you loosen up when playing the former but tighten up during the latter.
– Be sure to identify your 🌝 strengths and weaknesses in each game. Are you proficient in the flop games but not so much in the board 🌝 games? If so, maybe you loosen up when playing the former but tighten up during the latter. Tip #3: Identify 🌝 Your Opponent’s Strength & Weaknesses – You should also focus on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents. When 🌝 a player seems strong in one variant, you might want to avoid them. But, if you spot a failing in 🌝 another game, that may be your opportunity to attack.
– You should also focus on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of 🌝 your opponents. When a player seems strong in one variant, you might want to avoid them. But, if you spot 🌝 a failing in another game, that may be your opportunity to attack. Tip #4: Look for Low Cards in the 🌝 Draw Game – In 2-7 Triple Draw, your starting hand is super-critical. As a general rule, you should fold unless 🌝 you start with three unpaired cards, nine or lower.
– In 2-7 Triple Draw, your starting hand is super-critical. As a 🌝 general rule, you should fold unless you start with three unpaired cards, nine or lower. Tip #5: Remember What Game 🌝 You’re Playing – Finally, we can’t stress this enough. Always keep track of what game you’re playing. You’d be surprised 🌝 at how many players play a 7-Card Stud hand shooting for a high hand, not realising the game has switched 🌝 to Razz.
Strategy for 8-Game Mix Poker
8-Game Mix Poker - FAQ
What is 8-Game Mix Poker?
8-Game Poker, also known as 8-Game Mix 🌝 and simply 8-Game, is a poker variant with different poker disciplines. They include 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 🌝 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
Where can I play 🌝 8-Game Mix Poker?
Finding an 8-Game Mix game at your local casino might be challenging, especially at lower stakes.Instead, you’d probably 🌝 have better luck either online or at a larger tournament series.
What’s the difference between H.O.R.S.E. and 8-Game Mix Poker?
H.O.R.S.E. is 🌝 the acronym used for the mix of five poker games that include - Limit Hold’em (H), Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or 🌝 Better (O), Razz (R), Stud (S), and Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better (E). 8-Game Mix includes all those games but 🌝 with three others – No-Limit Hold’em (H), Pot-Limit Omaha (A), and 2-7 Triple Draw (T).
Do I have to play all 🌝 eight games?
Yes and no. You can always fold and not play the games you don’t like. But you can’t simply 🌝 sit out and avoid the blinds and antes. If you’re going to play 8-Game Mix, your best course of action 🌝 is to learn to all eight games.
What are the flop games in 8-Game Mix Poker?
No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, 🌝 and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better are all flop games as they involve a flop, turn and river.
What are the 🌝 board games in 8-Game Mix Poker?
Razz, Stud, and Stud H-Lo 8 or Better are all board games. Each player has 🌝 their own board in front of them as opposed to shared community cards.
What is the draw game in 8-Game Mix 🌝 Poker? The only draw game is 2-7 Triple Draw as players exchange cards after each betting round.
8-Game Mix Poker - 🌝 Summary
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to No-Limit Hold’em. It’s by far the most popular poker game in the world. Many 🌝 players stick to what they know and are good at playing.
But, if you’re interested in expanding your poker knowledge, learning 🌝 new games is the best way to do it.
There’s no better place to start than learning each variant played in 🌝 8-Game Mix Poker.
Your skills and knowledge will increase.
Chances are you’ll have a lot of fun
And, if you play your cards 🌝 right and find success, you could even earn the respect of the best poker players in the world!
