Poker players are trying to do two things: make as much money as possible and prove that they are the best player out there. Poker pros are always searching to show that they are the best and the way they are doing this is to learn and master more poker variations than just the most popular Texas Holdem Poker. For that reason mixed-game competitions like H.O.R.S.E. (Holdem, Omaha, Razz, 7 Card Stud, Stud 8 or Better), H.O.S.E., and 8-Game are being played not by just poker professionals, but regular online poker players.
More Poker Variations Shows More Skill
While the World Series of Poker Main Event is played over Texas Holdem, the poker pros are consistently playing mixed games on the cash game and poker tournament tables because it takes more skill to beat the best at more than simply Holdem. This is one argument for why countless poker players believe Phil Hellmuth is not the best poker player in the world, even though he has won the most WSOP bracelets. All his bracelets have been in Texas Holdem and nothing else.
Arguably the best player in the world, Phil Ivey, hasn’t won as many bracelets (eight in all) but he has won them over several poker variations including his most recent bracelet win, which was in H.O.R.S.E. In fact, none of Ivey’s bracelets have been from a strictly Holdem event. WSOP wins might be an excellent showing of who is best, but online poker is taking mixed games to the masses and the recreational player who is looking to be better than their poker friends.
Mixed Games and Online Poker
What online poker did was make it easier for normal poker players to learn and refine their poker skills over Omaha, Stud, and Razz with active tables at your fingertips all the time. Millions of players are now learning poker variations they’ve only seen the pros play before. The action on the H.O.R.S.E. and 8-Game tables on PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker are busier than the live tables in Las Vegas with players competing not just for money, but very important bragging rights. In many poker professional circles bragging rights are almost as important as money. This is why side proposition bets are so popular.
As online poker continues to grow, along with the great number of players moving beyond Texas Holdem Poker, they will move with the Poker professionals and towards mixed game cash tables and tournaments. It’s not just about money. It’s about skill. From skill the money will start pouring into your poker site account.
David Tubbs - David is a graduate of the University of Waterloo with an Honours B.A. in History with a focus on medieval Europe. While his formal ...
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