Introduction to H.O.R.S.E. Part 1 – Limit Holdem

A game that has been gaining a lot of popularity over the last 2 years is the game of H.O.R.S.E.  HORSE is a rotation game featuring five different variants of poker played in a rotation format.  The games are Holdem, Omaha 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud 8 or better.  Each game is played with a limit betting structure.  In most cash games, each game is dealt for a specific number of hands and then the game changes.  For tournament play, typically a game is played for one round and then switched to the next.

The first game of HORSE is Limit Texas Holdem.  Normal rules of Holdem apply, but at a limit betting structure.  In limit play, the betting limits pre-flop and on the flop are equivalent to the size of the big blind.  If you are playing a $5-$10 game, the bets and raises pre-flop and on the flop will be $5.  On the turn and river, the betting increases to $10.

Limit Holdem takes more patience and discipline than No Limit.  You cannot play a marginal hand, get lucky, and take someone’s entire stack.  You must be more selective of the hands that you play and do your best to extract maximum profit.  At the same time, bad beats do not hurt your stack as bad.  You can have Aces cracked and not end up on the rail.  In addition, in Limit Holdem, you can also make calls on the river with second and third best hands that you cannot make in No Limit due to the fact that it only costs you one more bet.

In my next article, I will introduce you to the next game in the HORSE rotation, Omaha 8 or better.  Until then, good luck, play smart, or get very lucky.