Mixed Games
Tournament or cash game formats rotating between different poker variants at set intervals.
iGaming Journalist & Crypto Casino Analyst
What Is Mixed Games?
Popular mixed game formats include HORSE (Hold'em, Omaha hi-lo, Razz, Stud, Stud hi-lo) and 8-Game, which add additional variants like No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha to the rotation. Mixed games are prized by many serious players because they reward broad poker skill and reduce the advantage of players who specialize narrowly in one game. High-stakes mixed games are a staple of major live poker rooms and prestigious tournament series.
Examples
The WSOP HORSE event rotates through five different games every set number of hands.
She spent months studying Razz and Stud specifically to prepare for the mixed games series.
Strategy Tips
Study each individual game in the rotation separately, since strategy in games like Razz or Stud differs substantially from Hold'em. Track which game is currently live carefully, as mistakes often come from applying the wrong game's strategy out of habit. Focus extra study time on the games you're weakest in, since mixed game specialists exploit those gaps aggressively. Bankroll requirements can be higher for mixed games due to increased variance across unfamiliar formats.