How to Play H.O.R.S.E.
A rotation of five limit games: Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi-Lo.
Learn the rules ↓What is H.O.R.S.E.?
Play each active variant under its own deal, betting, and showdown rules.
The acronym names the five constituent games and is a well-established mixed-game rotation.
Dealer, forced bets & starting cards
The game changes after a scheduled number of hands or a tournament level. The displayed active variant determines whether the hand uses blinds, a board, or stud streets.
Forced bets: Blinds in flop games; antes and bring-ins in stud games. 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: Usually fixed-limit rotation. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.
Showdown & pot award
Use the active game's hand-construction and pot-award rules. Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo can split pots; Razz awards the low-only pot.
See the rule at the table.
After a Limit Hold'em round, the table moves to Omaha Hi-Lo. You now receive four hole cards and must use exactly two, rather than applying Hold'em's any-card rule.
The mistake to avoid
Carrying Hold'em hand-construction rules into Omaha or forgetting that Razz has no eight-or-better qualifier.
A sound starting approach
Confirm the active game before every hand. A simple checklist of forced bets, hand construction, ranking, and limit size prevents costly format-switch errors.
Venue and format variations
Rotation order, hands per game, and tournament-level changes vary by operator. Check the event's published structure.
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.
Follow one hand, step by step.
Read the current game label and scheduled rotation.
This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.
Check your understanding.
QUESTION 1 / 2Which game does the R in H.O.R.S.E. represent?
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.
- A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠Royal flushThe ace-high straight flush.
- 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit.
- Q♠Q♥Q♦Q♣3♠Four of a kindFour cards of one rank.
- K♠K♥K♦4♣4♠Full houseThree of one rank plus a pair.
- A♦J♦8♦5♦2♦FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive.
- 9♣8♦7♥6♠5♣StraightFive consecutive ranks, not all one suit.
- 7♠7♥7♦K♣2♥Three of a kindThree cards of one rank.
- A♠A♥5♦5♣Q♠Two pairTwo distinct pairs.
- J♠J♦A♥8♣3♦One pairTwo cards of one rank.
- A♠J♦8♥5♣2♦High cardNo pair or higher category.
Frequently asked questions
What cards and deck does H.O.R.S.E. 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?
Use the active game's hand-construction and pot-award rules. Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo can split pots; Razz awards the low-only pot.
Which rules should I check at a real table?
Rotation order, hands per game, and tournament-level changes vary by operator. Check the event's published structure. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.
Related poker terms
Continue exploring
Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗
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.
- PokerStars H.O.R.S.E. rules ↗Published room mixed-game rotation
- Poker TDA 2026 Rules v1.1 (Sept. 21, 2026) ↗Tournament procedures; not a universal rulebook for every game