Written By: HorsePoker.net

If you’ve only played Hold’em thus far in your poker playing career, HORSE poker can be quite an intimidating game. By introducing FOUR new games to the mix, a new player can quickly see their bankroll dwindle to nothing if they’re not prepared for this game. While it’s tempting to just jump right in and learn the game, you should consider a few things before doing so.

HORSE consists of five poker variations –

Hold’em
Omaha
Razz
Seven Card Stud
Omaha Hi Lo

Make sure that you’re up to speed on the fundamentals of each game as your top priority. If you don’t understand the ins and outs of a game like Seven Card Stud, you should take the time to read our strategy articles on that and any other game you’re not familiar with. It’s certainly a cheaper (free) alternative to diving into a cash game and learning the hard way that’s it not wise to chase two pair when your opponent is showing two aces as their door cards.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the basics of each game, take the time to observe a low to middle limit game and see what types of hands make it to the showdown. Take notes on the players that tend to chase to the river in Hold’em or sixth street in Stud, only to fold to a final bet when they’re laid massive pot odds to call. This is a clear sign that they’ve chased some sort of drawing hand, only to miss completely. These are the players that you want to nail when you do enter the game. At the same time, this is the player that you DON’T want to emulate, learn from their mistakes.

If you’re having trouble with a game such as RAZZ, there’s no need to sit that round out. Just play ultra tight until you feel more comfortable playing hands to the showdown. Sitting out any rounds in their entirety at a HORSE poker table is considered very poor form and will draw the ire of other players at the table that will notice it. Some rooms will automatically boot you from the table if you sit out for too long. Of course, you’re never going to learn a game by sitting out either. If it intimidates you that bad, try playing for play chips until you get the mechanics of that game down. Sit n Go tables and small buy in tournaments are another way to learn.

Overall, you must understand that you’ve just taken on the most difficult game to master in all of poker. There’s no question that HORSE is hard to beat, very few professional players even venture into this game (look at Phil Hellmuth, all but one of his titles are in Hold’em). However, with time and patience you can do well at this game. So take the time to absorb our strategy articles and try the game at a site such as PokerStars or Full Tilt Poker. As more time passes you’ll find yourself with a much better grasp of the game and perhaps a larger bankroll as well!