A few issues ago, I wrote an introductory article about playing low limit HORSE-a rotating game of hold'em, Omaha/8, razz, seven stud, and 7-stud/8 or better. If you are not familiar with how each of these games is played, I suggest that you become knowledgeable with the basics before attempting to play for real money.
1. Limit hold'em: This segment often turns into "no fold'em hold'em" where an average of 4-6 players may stay in till the end. I believe that you should play contra to the table trend. Conservative play is best. Starting with hands that play well in multi-way pots is more profitable. These would include pairs, connectors, and suited cards with the ace or king. Big cards with medium or small kickers should generally be avoided. This would include hands like A-9, K-8, and A-5.
One point to remember that it is more justified to "take one off" on the turn when the pot has been raised one or more bets before the flop. The larger the pot, the bigger the payoff when you make trips or another long shot on the turn. This is also true in other games.
2. Limit Omaha/8: This game is often played ten handed when played separately, and not a part of horse. Thus with each player getting four cards plus the five on the board, forty-five of the fifty-two cards are in play. This often means that all four aces are in play, resulting in two and occasionally three players having the same winning low hand. Depending on how many additional players are in the pot, the winning low hand can actually lose money.
This happens somewhat less often in horse, where the maximum number of players is eight.
In high-low split games, one of the biggest mistakes that I see is playing when you can only win half the pot. This is particularly true when heads-up. You are putting in almost half the money to win back the same amount.
In all the components of HORSE it is vital to have clearly established starting hands that you will play and in various positions in the betting order. This point alone is enough to put you on the winning track in low limit games. My fellow Poker Player writers Mike Caro and Sam Mudaro, among others, have written extensively on this subject. More tips in future articles.
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Key Multiple Choice Question: Will Joan and Melissa Rivers invite Annie Duke to play in their next home poker game?
a. Only if played in the board room.
b. Only if Donald Trump is also playing.
c. Not even if played at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion and Brandy plays cocktail waitress.
d. No ************ way in ****!
Mike Eikenberry got his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, where he played varsity tennis and basketball. Founder of one of the leading national tennis camps, Mike is an avid amateur who has played both tournaments and live games for over 25 years. He can be reached at theeiks@comcast.net
