Tournaments,
HORSE Tournaments
July 8 2008
One form of tournament that has been growing in popularity lately is the H.O.R.S.E. tournament. In fact, at the World Series in Las Vegas, the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. tournament is quickly beginning to rival the Main Event in the pro ranks.
A H.O.R.S.E. tournament is played in rounds. In each round a different poker variation is played. This is where the tournament gets its name from – the different poker variations played: Holdem, Omaha, Razz, 7-Card Stud and 7-Card Stud Eights or Better. To win a H.O.R.S.E. tournament, a player has to be skilled in all five variations. Winning money in one or two variations won’t cut it if you bleed chips in the others, or simply watch as other players pick up cash while you’re waiting for the next round of Holdem.
One other aspect of a H.O.R.S.E. tournament that can be hard on beginners is that in almost all H.O.R.S.E. tourneys, the games are Limit. With No Limit games dominating the poker craze, most players are more apt to excel in – or are at least more knowledgeable in – No Limit poker, and this puts them at a disadvantage in H.O.R.S.E. tournaments. Not only are they playing games they have little experience in, they’re also playing under conditions they’re not used to.
The difference-maker in H.O.R.S.E. tournaments among beginners is often the Razz round. Razz isn’t the most well-known game among beginners and many go into it without knowing how to play it right, and some even go into it without knowing all the rules. Make sure you know your stuff when it comes to Razz, and the other four games as well, before tackling a H.O.R.S.E. tournament.
Brush up on
poker variations and be prepared for your next H.O.R.S.E Tournament!
