Flawless Poker
THE MIXED GAMES UNIVERSE · ADVANCED

How to Play 8-Game Mix

A published eight-game rotation combining limit draw, Hold'em, Omaha, and stud with no-limit and pot-limit rounds.

Learn the rules ↓
PLAYERSSix at PokerStars; other structures vary
DECKStandard 52-card deck, reset each hand
PRIVATE CARDSChanges with the active game
COMMUNITY CARDSChanges with the active game
BETTING ROUNDSChanges with the active game
BETTING FORMATSix limit games plus No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha
THE RULES

What is 8-Game Mix?

Apply the correct ranking and betting rules in each of the eight successive formats.

8-Game Mix extends the five H.O.R.S.E. games with 2-7 Triple Draw, No-Limit Hold'em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.

Dealer, forced bets & starting cards

The cited PokerStars rotation is 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, No-Limit Hold'em, then Pot-Limit Omaha.

Forced bets: Blinds or antes/bring-in according to the active game. Deck: Standard 52-card deck, reset each hand.

Betting rounds & legal actions

Betting schedule: Changes with the active game. When action reaches you, fold, check if no bet is pending, bet, call, or raise within the table's betting limits. An all-in wager is possible when your remaining stack is smaller than a full bet; side pots can result.

Betting limits: Six limit games plus No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.

Showdown & pot award

Each component game keeps its own hand construction and high/low pot rules; a rotation does not blend their rankings.

WORKED EXAMPLE

See the rule at the table.

A pat 7-5-4-3-2 is excellent in the 2-7 round, but after the switch to Limit Hold'em the ordinary high-hand system applies.

The mistake to avoid

Confusing the rotation label or applying the same wager cap to a no-limit and a fixed-limit round.

A sound starting approach

Learn the eight component games separately. At every change, check limit type, forced bets, number of cards, and the current ranking profile.

Venue and format variations

PokerStars changes games every six hands in cash play or by level in tournaments. Other operators may use a different rotation schedule or order.

Game mechanics, tournament procedures, and local house rules are different layers. Poker TDA publishes tournament procedures; the table operator's posted game rules decide the exact version you play.

VISUAL RULES WALKTHROUGH

Follow one hand, step by step.

STEP 1 / 5

Read the active game and rotation counter.

This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.

RULES CHALLENGE

Check your understanding.

QUESTION 1 / 2

Which betting structures join the limit games in 8-Game Mix?

GAME-SPECIFIC HAND RANKINGS

Read the correct chart.

Listed from strongest to weakest. A royal flush is the highest straight flush. Suits do not break ties in standard high poker.

  1. A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠
    Royal flushThe ace-high straight flush.
  2. 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥
    Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit.
  3. Q♠Q♥Q♦Q♣3♠
    Four of a kindFour cards of one rank.
  4. K♠K♥K♦4♣4♠
    Full houseThree of one rank plus a pair.
  5. A♦J♦8♦5♦2♦
    FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive.
  6. 9♣8♦7♥6♠5♣
    StraightFive consecutive ranks, not all one suit.
  7. 7♠7♥7♦K♣2♥
    Three of a kindThree cards of one rank.
  8. A♠A♥5♦5♣Q♠
    Two pairTwo distinct pairs.
  9. J♠J♦A♥8♣3♦
    One pairTwo cards of one rank.
  10. A♠J♦8♥5♣2♦
    High cardNo pair or higher category.

Frequently asked questions

What cards and deck does 8-Game Mix use?

Standard 52-card deck, reset each hand. Cards received over the hand: Changes with the active game; community cards: Changes with the active game.

How is the pot awarded?

Each component game keeps its own hand construction and high/low pot rules; a rotation does not blend their rankings.

Which rules should I check at a real table?

PokerStars changes games every six hands in cash play or by level in tournaments. Other operators may use a different rotation schedule or order. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.

Related poker terms

Pot-LimitPot-LimitA betting structure that caps a bet or raise by the pot-size calculation.Open full definition ↗BlindBlindA forced bet posted before players see their cards.Open full definition ↗Low HandLow HandA poker hand evaluated under a low-ranking system, where lower cards can be better.Open full definition ↗

Continue exploring

Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗

H.O.R.S.E.A rotation of five limit games: Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi-Lo.Open guide ↗2-7 Triple DrawA lowball draw game with three opportunities to replace cards; aces, straights, and flushes work against you.Open guide ↗Pot-Limit OmahaFour hole cards and five community cards, with exactly two hole cards required in every final hand.Open guide ↗
RULES REFERENCES

Source documents

These original explanations were reviewed 2026-10-15. The linked organizations publish the underlying rules; Flawless Poker is an educational guide, not an official ruling body.