HORSE Poker Online: The Rules, How to Play and Winning Strategies
HORSE Poker is a multi-game form of poker that can be played online or live at casinos or even at home. Each letter in the word ‘horse’ represents a game. It’s fun and easy to learn, and really helps pass the time when needed. So, let’s dive in.
Supplies You Need to Play
If you want to play with friends or family, you only need three simple things: a deck of cards, betting chips and a dealer. Playing online is much easier – you only need a device and a connection to the internet or data.
How to Play the Game
HORSE poker actually consists of 5 poker games played as rounds. These games are:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha Hi-Lo
- Razz
- Seven Card Stud
- Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split-Eight or better
Each of these games are easy to learn, but it’s always important to remember that practice makes perfect.
Hand Rankings
The rankings will vary depending on which game you’re playing, but the basics are as follows:
| Ranking | Hand | Description | Example Hand |
| #1 | Royal Flush | A straight from 10 to Ace, all the same suit. |  |
| #2 | Straight Flush | Any cards in consecutive order that are all the same suit. |  |
| #3 | Four of a Kind | Four of the same card. |  |
| #4 | Full House | One pair and three of the same card. |  |
| #5 | Flush | All cards are the same suit. |  |
| #6 | Straight | Cards are in consecutive order. |  |
| #7 | Three of a Kind | Three of the same card. |  |
| #8 | Two Pairs | One pair of one card and one pair of another card. |  |
| #9 | Pair | Two of the same card. |  |
| #10 | High Card | None of the hands above, relying on the highest card in your hand. |  |
Make sure to know which game you’re playing so you understand what the hand rankings are for that specific variation.
Variations of the Game
The following is a breakdown of the games that make HORSE poker:
Texas Hold’em: Players are dealt two hole cards and share five community cards. Rounds of betting take place as each community card is drawn, the player with the best poker hand at the end wins the pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo: Players get four hole cards and three community cards. The goal is to make the best 5 card hand using the three community cards and two out of the four dealt hole cards. The players with the highest and lowest hand will split the pot as long as the low hand player does not have a card higher than an eight.
Razz: The object of this horse poker game is to make the lowest five card hand out of the seven dealt.
Seven Card Stud: Cards are dealt two face up and one face down. Community cards are dealt after betting rounds take place and the best hand wins.
Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split-Eight or Better: Played just like seven card stud, however, the lowest and highest hand will split the pot as long as the lowest hand has an eight or lower.
Strategies and Things to Remember
One strategy is to practice and better understand the games that do not have any community cards, as these are a little more intense. Remember to understand and play all the games without betting before you go ahead and play for real money.
The last thing to remember is to be self-aware. We know that we can sometimes guess the actions of other players based on observing them – that goes both ways. Change up the way you bet every once in a while in order to always keep your opponents on their toes.
Don’t Horse Around…
…unless you’re playing at home with friends and family. If that’s not the case, make sure be aware, understand the games, and how the rotation works. Always bet responsibly, good luck!
All-Around Poker Variant Master
HORSE poker has become your game and while it covers most variants, it doesn’t cover all – master another poker game today!
Texas Hold’em – 3 Card Poker – 5 Card Draw – Stud Poker – 5 Card Stud – 7 Card Stud – Mississippi Stud – Caribbean Stud – Omaha Poker – Omaha Hi-Lo
Frequently Asked Questions
Practice makes perfect and there’s also some skill involved. However, it’s important to remember the HORSE poker games do have a capped pot limit. It really does depend on what game and variation of the game you are playing.
If you’ve played some games before, it’s relatively easy to get into the swing of things. If you’re new and haven’t played any of the games, it can feel overwhelming. It’s best to learn the games separately and not during a HORSE poker tournament and once you feel confident, it’ll be easy to get the hang of it. Practice, practice, practice.