Mixed Games: What is HORSE?

HORSE is a mixed game, which is played as a fixed-limit game on Full Tilt. Each letter stands for a different game, and the game changes every time the level changes in a tournament.

The five games are:

H = Hold'em

O = Omaha High Low (8 or better)

R = Razz

S = Seven Stud High

E = Seven Stud High Low (8 or better)

We don't currently offer HORSE as a side game, because it would be too easy for players to sit out during their weaker games, and only play their stronger games.

We don't currently offer HORSE as a Sit & Go, because there is not enough time between levels, so you might only play a few hands of a certain game before the game changes.

My thoughts are bring it on baby!

If players sit during a ring of unfamiliar play then just be sure they pay for the sit they take. Simple as that.

If FTP will not have HORSE as an option then why have it as a forum as well?

FTP should remember what is popular in the forums is likely also popular at the tables. The fact is that HORSE will help FTP increase the table numbers for other games beside Hold'em. This is good for FTP and also for the players who participate in various multiple forms of poker.

Let get some good HORSE games going here!

Not sure why we can't play SnGs though as no advantage could be gained like in cash games. I for one would not be put off by the game changing quickly as I think the all round players who play HORSE are comfortable playing most forms of poker and the fun players would just be having a laugh anyway.

What people might be driving towards is a method whereby players are charged the rake up front to play a number of full rounds in HORSE. Like, pay .50 to play low limit HORSE (sit down with, say, $5) for an hour up front, such that leaving early or sitting out costs you something. However, since this sounds similar to an SNG (albeit without the escalating blinds, and fixed number of rounds, say 15 or 3 rotations - longer would likely create empty chairs for too many rounds), the demand probably wouldn't increase all that much.

Kudos to FTP for offering HORSE. It's really a conduit for people to broaden their games, and I'm no different.

I know what HORSE it is, but where can you find the basics for each type of game? I play Hold 'Em, I have played Omaha (some), have recently learned RAZZ (and LOVE it), have played Stud games but haven't got into it much.

I've gone to the playmoney tables to try and figure it out - sometimes you can't get an accurate answer, or even an answer from those playing - they just see you as a FISH, and take advantage of that. Do you have one place that describes the basic of each game I could spend hours reading the FORUM - but I want to PLAY not read! (thats if I find what I'm looking for! If you can help me in this it would be greatly appreciated! I come to the Forum if i have a question if you answer this would be sure to get it at my e~mail: Thanks

Thanx alot. I was always wondering what HORSE was. I think i'm gonna try and play this sometime.

PL HORSE would be insane, i think it would as big a hold em'. it would sure be a lot more skillful. to know all the elements of all the games. I think it would be a great idea

I know, but it can be quite difficult for the software to know why a player is sitting out, and you are supposed to be able to sit out a round or so without being punished for it. I think this is what makes it hard to have horse cash games online.

I think all the free-rolls should be in the HORSE format. No one would know what was is going on. Youd have the same loose callers an maniac raisers as in the holdem tournys. But it woldn't be so bad because no one will have read books or watched it on tv, the'll just go all in with what they think would be the nuts and get crushed by the heavy cost of the other style of betting in pokers games . Its almost a lottery threw the first hour any way, why not add some more entertainment value to it.

i like the concept exept i would like it to be changed to all razz and skip the other games... this would really improve the horse games. ty

I would love to see HORSE as a side game, but this is an obvious problem. How is the issue handled by brick & mortar casinos?

The best half solution I can think of would be to have some kind of penalty for sitting out a game, like not being able to sit in until that game is dealt again (for example, if you sit out a round of Razz, you can't rejoin the game until the next Razz round), or having to pay dead blinds or antes when you rejoin a game.

Now that the technology is in place, why not introduce other types of mixed games? Half NL Hold'em and Half PL Omaha is a popular game in Europe ('Round of Each' its called). Surely that would work easily as a cash game?

The obvious solution to this is to change the game every two levels. That way you get enough time playing each game, and the blinds / antes can increase reasonably slowly.

Any more thoughts?

Rules and hand rankings for lo hands are posted on the full tilt website.

in a sit'ngo, b/c of the time constraints, the games should change once every 5 hands... that means 2 games per round, and you should get to all 5 games before the first players start dropping out...

As the levels change, how do the blinds transfer to the antes in stud? Like if it's 5-10 blinds, level just went up, what is the ante in razz?

That would be a good idea, would be great practice.

keep collecting antes from players that are sitting out in live games too.

ok, here's a thought

Have antes only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No Blinds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just like a Home game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you sit out, then your antes will still be collected seeing how this is a tournament. Wise players would pick these up, or sit out accordingly. Problem solved. 8)

Oh man, PL Razz would be NUTTY. I'd be the first to sign up =P