I still remember the first time I sat down at a mixed-game table and heard the dealer call “H-O-R-S-E.” I thought it was a joke until the round flipped from Hold’em to Razz and the table shuffled strategies like a deck. Learning HORSE hand rankings changed how I evaluated hands, how I thought about risk, and how I prepared for tournaments. If you plan to play mixed games — or just want to understand how changing game rules affect the value of cards — this guide breaks down HORSE hand rankings, special-case rules, strategy, and examples that will help you make smarter decisions at the table.
What is HORSE and why hand rankings matter
HORSE is a mixed poker format made up of five variations: Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo (often Pot-Limit), Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo (8-or-better). Each letter stands for one game, and the dealer rotates through them in sequence. Because the structure mixes high-hand and low-hand games — and split pots — understanding HORSE hand rankings means more than memorizing the standard order of hands. You must also know which games invert or modify those rankings.
Before we dive into each game's nuances, here’s a reminder that if you want to review rules or practice play online, a reliable resource is available at keywords.
Standard poker hand rankings (the baseline)
Across most of the high-hand games in HORSE (Hold’em, Stud, and the high halves of hi-lo games), the standard descending hand ranking applies:
- Royal Flush — A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit (the highest possible hand)
- Straight Flush — Any five consecutive cards of the same suit
- Four of a Kind — Four cards of the same rank
- Full House — Three of a kind plus a pair
- Flush — Five cards of the same suit, not consecutive
- Straight — Five consecutive cards of mixed suits
- Three of a Kind — Three cards of the same rank
- Two Pair — Two distinct pairs
- One Pair — Two cards of the same rank
- High Card — When no other hand is made, highest card wins
These are the default rankings you’ll use in Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud (the high game), and for the high half of Omaha Hi-Lo or Stud Hi-Lo (when the pot is split for the best high hand). However, two HORSE components require special attention: Razz and the low halves of hi-lo games.
Razz: the lowball exception
Razz is a pure lowball game — the lowest five-card hand wins. That changes how you think about starting hands and hand strength entirely.
- Ranking method: Ace is low, and straights and flushes do not count against you. The best possible Razz hand is A-2-3-4-5 (the “wheel”); it’s the absolute nuts.
- Comparisons: Hands are compared by the highest card first. Example — A-2-3-4-7 beats 2-3-4-5-8 because the highest card (7) is lower in the first hand (7 vs 8).
- Tie-breakers: If two players have the same highest card, compare the next highest, and so on. Suits don’t matter.
In Razz, pairs are devastating. A hand with any pair is almost always losing against unpaired low sequences. This forces a conservative approach: fold hands that would be playable in a high game, and value A-2 starting combinations much more than you would in Hold’em.
Hi-Lo split games: qualifying lows and scoop potential
Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo split the pot between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. Important details:
- Qualifier: Most hi-lo formats use an “8-or-better” qualifier for the low — a five-card hand of eight-high or lower with distinct ranks (aces count as low). If no one qualifies for low, the high hand takes the entire pot.
- Low ranking: Low hands are evaluated by the highest card (same as Razz rules for wheel and low comparisons). Example: 8-6-5-4-3 qualifies as an 8-low; 7-5-4-3-2 is a better 7-low.
- Scoop: It’s possible to win both high and low (“scooping”), which dramatically increases pot value. Hands that can legitimately scoop — like A-2-3-x combinations in Omaha Hi-Lo — are premium holdings.
How HORSE hand rankings apply across the rotation
Because HORSE rotates games, hand value is context-dependent:
- In Hold’em and Stud (high): use standard rankings above.
- In Razz: invert value to favor the lowest five-card hand; discard straights and flushes as penalties.
- In Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo: evaluate both high and low; consider nut-low potential and scoop possibilities when choosing starting hands or making post-flop/streets decisions.
Practical examples
Example 1 — You hold A♠-2♠ in early Razz action. This is a phenomenal starting combination: you’re live for the wheel and have minimal blockers against low outcomes. Play aggressively if you can maintain position and pot control.
Example 2 — In Omaha Hi-Lo, you’re dealt A♦-2♦-K♣-Q♠. This hand has a strong low potential (A-2) and some high cards for nut-high straights. It’s a classic scenario where pot control and multi-way considerations are key: you want to build pots when scoop looks realistic, and avoid bloating pots when your low or high is easily beaten.
Example 3 — In Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, you are showing A-3 down the streets with a hidden 2. Those “wheel” combinations are gold for scoop potential. Protect them by using positional and betting cues to reduce multi-player splits.
Strategy tips tailored to each HORSE game
- Hold’em: Play tight-aggressive from early positions; widen in late position to exploit folds. Preserve stack size for later stud and hi-lo rounds.
- Omaha Hi-Lo: Favor hands with both strong high and low potential (A-2 combos, double-suited hands with low connectors). Avoid one-sided hands that only chase a high with no low possibility.
- Razz: Value A-2 upcards and low unpaired boards. Don’t overvalue a small pair early.
- Seven-Card Stud: Track exposed cards closely — visible upcards drastically change odds. Adjust aggression when you know certain ranks are dead.
- Stud Hi-Lo: Seek scoops. Hands that can scoop are worth more than equivalent high-only hands because the pot is split unless you win both halves.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Treating every game like Hold’em — the biggest mistake. Razz and Hi-Lo require different valuation systems and aggression profiles.
- Neglecting visible-card memory in Stud variants. Keeping quick mental notes of live cards improves pot odds assessments.
- Underestimating scoop potential in hi-lo. Folding hands that can scoop is often a missed opportunity; conversely, overcommitting without low potential can bleed stack quickly.
- Ignoring pot odds in split games. When a low is being contested, the implied value of continuing changes; calculate expected value with the split in mind.
How to practice and build expertise
Becoming proficient at HORSE requires practice across all five disciplines. Mix focused sessions on each game with full-rotation sessions so you internalize when to shift gears. When you practice, review hands aggressively — what would you do differently in Razz vs Hold’em? Post-game analysis develops pattern recognition and instincts.
For rulesets, practice tables, and community discussion that cover mixed-game formats, check resources such as keywords, where rules and play options are clearly explained for newcomers and experienced players alike.
Final checklist: mastering HORSE hand rankings
- Memorize standard high-hand rankings (royal flush down to high card).
- Learn Razz’s lowball rules: A-5 wheel is best; pairs hurt you.
- Understand hi-lo qualifiers (usually 8-or-better) and what constitutes a low.
- Value scoop potential higher than single-direction hands in hi-lo.
- Practice visible-card tracking for Stud variants and adjust bets accordingly.
Closing thoughts
HORSE hand rankings are simple in their components but complex in practice because the table’s expected value swings as the game rotates. The best players are those who can switch mental models quickly: thinking low in Razz, split-pot in hi-lo, and high in Hold’em and Stud. With deliberate practice, focused study of examples, and attention to visible cards and scoop opportunities, you’ll find your mixed-game results improving steadily.
If you want a reliable place to review rules, play practice hands, or join mixed-game tables online, a helpful starting point is keywords.
