HORSE and Mixed Game Rules

A mixed game is a game in which two or more poker variants are played in turn at the same table, in a fixed order called the rotation.

Each variant is played under its own rules, set out on the page for that game. This page covers only the rules that arise from mixing them: the rotation, the button, seating and stakes.

Because the stud games are dealt seven cards per player, a mixed game that includes stud is normally limited to eight players at a table.

Every player shall play every game in the rotation. A player may not sit out selected games while remaining at the table, other than for ordinary breaks permitted by the venue.

All five games in HORSE are played fixed-limit, using the same small bet and big bet within a level. See betting structures.

In the split-pot games, the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand of eight or lower. If no hand qualifies for low, the high hand wins the whole pot.

Related rotations are sometimes played under their own names. HOSE omits Razz; THORSE adds 2-7 Triple Draw before Hold'em.

The limit games in an 8-Game mix use the level's small bet and big bet. The no-limit and pot-limit games use blinds set for the level, and in tournaments often an ante. The venue shall publish the blinds, antes and bring-in for every game at every level.

Other named mixes exist, such as 9-Game (adding Badugi or No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw) and 10-Game. The same rotation principles apply.

The games are played in the published order. When the last game is completed, the rotation returns to the first.

Cash games. A flop or draw game is normally played for one full orbit, so every player has had the button once. A stud game, which has no button, is normally played for a fixed number of hands, commonly equal to the number of players at the table or a set number such as eight.

Tournaments. Games commonly change with each level, or after a fixed number of hands. The tournament structure sheet governs.

The dealer shall announce each change of game, and many venues display the current game on a placard at the table.

Once a hand has been dealt, it is played to completion under the rules of the game in which it was dealt, even if the level or rotation changes during the hand.

From a flop or draw game to a stud game. After the last flop or draw hand of the round, the button is moved to the position it would occupy for the next hand and is then frozen there. It does not move during the stud round.

From a stud game back to a flop or draw game. The first hand is dealt with the button in its frozen position. Blinds are posted by the players to its left in the normal way.

Some venues instead tie each flop-game round to a fixed seat, for example ending the round after the hand dealt with the button on the highest-numbered seat. Where this applies, the venue shall post the rule.

Between two games that both use a button, such as Hold'em and Omaha Hi-Lo, the button simply continues to move one seat after each hand.

In a stud game, the bring-in is made by the player with the lowest upcard in Seven Card Stud and Stud Eight-or-Better, and the player with the highest upcard in Razz. Ties for the bring-in are broken by suit: clubs lowest, then diamonds, hearts and spades.

Unless the game is advertised otherwise, every game in HORSE and every limit game in a larger mix is played fixed-limit, with the small bet on the early rounds and the big bet on the later rounds.

In the flop games of a limit mix, the big blind is normally equal to the small bet and the small blind is half of it. In a 400/800 game, for example, the blinds are 200 and 400.

In the stud games, each player pays an ante, and the bring-in is a fraction of the small bet. The bring-in player may instead choose to complete the bet to the full small bet.

In fixed-limit games, each betting round is capped, commonly at one bet and three or four raises. Most venues remove the cap when only two players remain in the hand.

A new player may be dealt into a stud game on the next hand without posting. In a flop or draw game, the new player shall either wait for the big blind or post an amount equal to the big blind, as the venue requires.

A player who misses blinds while away from the table during a flop or draw round shall make them up on return, under the venue's rules for missed blinds. Missing a stud hand carries no blind obligation, but in a tournament the player's ante is still posted.

When a tournament player moves to a new table, they play whatever game that table is playing, and take the next position their new seat would receive in that game.

In dealer's choice, each player in turn, when they hold the button or the dealer's position, chooses the game to be played. The chosen game is played for a fixed period, commonly one orbit, or a set number of hands for a stud game.

The chooser shall select from a list of games agreed or posted in advance, and shall name the game and its betting structure before the cards are dealt.

The rules on the button, joining and stakes in Articles 5 to 7 apply to dealer's choice in the same way as to a fixed rotation.