Horse Poker - Basic Overview

HORSE is a combination of five poker games: Texas Hold'em, Omaha Eight or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud Eight or Better Variation. This game was just re-launched in 2006 in the World Series of Poker with a buy in amount of a whopping $50,000. If you’re a professional gambler or a millionaire who’s prepared to lose this amount, you can join in. This variation of a poker game is regarded by many as the ultimate poker game as it combines five types of poker games. Even though it was not the main event in WSOP, it certainly is the most challenging.

Since it’s a combination of five poker games, you have to be really familiar to each one of them. Each of them has their own way of determining the winner. For example, the winner in Eight or Better could be anyone who has the higher card but anyone who has a card combination lower than eight is also a winner. There are certain games that can have one winner while there are also games that will have two winners. To be able to enjoy HORSE, you have to make sure you know the general rules and the general game of poker inside and out.

That’s why all of the poker players both professional and amateurs who loves the games, have been playing all types of poker thousand of times. That’s also applicable for you, if you want to excel in the game. You may read and researched all about poker games and variations but it will amount to nothing if you haven’t played the game with actual opponents. And we’re not just talking about online games, we’re talking about games against actual people. Online, you won’t be able to “read” your opponents reaction but if you play even just with your friends, you can practice your skills in reading them.

But beware of the poker game, especially HORSE. It’s a really fun, challenging and highly addictive game. Since it will take you time to master each of them, you have to practice really hard just to win a single game. That’s why most of the HORSE players spend thousands of hours playing HORSE poker. As a player, you might also find yourself in this situation.

Remember any poker game especially HORSE, is all about having fun. All the hours that you put in learning this game is not only for earning and becoming one of the best, it’s also a great stage to interact with others. A game of HORSE doesn’t only bring out the best of poker skills of every player it also brings out the best of their personality.

Online Poker Lingo:

gg : good game .
lol : laughing out loud .
rofl : rolling over the floor laughing .
lamo : laughing my ass off .
nh : nice hand .
vnh : very nice hand .
nb : nice bet .
np : nice play .
nc : nice call .
ty : thank you .
str8 : straight.

Texas Holdem Lingo for Starting Hands:

American Airlines - pair of aces in your hole cards.
Cowboys - pair of kings in your hole cards.
Hilton Sisters - pocket queens.
Hooks - JJ's - pocket Jacks.
Speed Limit - 55's - two fives.
Ducks - deuces.
Big Slick - ace king, also known as Anna Kournikova.
Big Chick - ace queen.
Ajax - ace jack in your hole cards.
Dolly Parton - nine and five in your hole cards.
Beer Hand - deuce seven off suit (the worse starting hand possible in Holdem).
ATC - short for: any two cards.