8 Game Poker is a mixed poker game that is typically played six handed. In rotation, the variants played in 8 Game Mix are, in rotation order, 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi Lo, No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.
One of the newer mixed games out there and available to play, 8 Game Mix is, at some casinos, beginning to surpass another popular mixed game, H.O.R.S.E., where it is considered more exciting because, unlike H.O.R.S.E., 8 Game is not played entirely fixed limit.
Fixed limit games, which typically have big and small bets, have their critics as the action can flatline and, while 8 Game Mix does include some fixed limit games, it also has a healthy blend of no limit games too such as the always popular No Limit Hold’em.
This means that, as well as six rounds of differing fixed limit games, there are two uncapped games where everything can change on one single pot.
Playing 8 Game Poker
The thing about playing any mixed poker game is that each variant comes with its own rules and you must be able to instantly switch from one new set of rules to another at regular intervals.
These could be rules about high or low handed games or the value of the ace and can change instantly after the conclusion of a hand. That is a lot of information to keep n your head for one game, remember that the next time someone tells that poker is not a game of skill.
There is not much in the way of strategy needed for this game because there are so many game types being thrown at you. The best thing you can really do is to make sure you are absolutely one hundred percent up to speed with all of the rules and gameplay that each variant presents, including its opening game, 2-7 Triple Draw.
2-7 Triple Draw
2-7 Triple Draw is the reason 8 Game is usually restricted to six players as 2-7 Triple Draw is, itself, a six handed game. It is also a five card low draw game where each player is dealt five cards with the aim of making the lowest possible five card hand. The game has four betting rounds, two with small bets and two with big bets, which are double, plus three draws. After each round of betting, players can choose to lose as many cards as they wish, which the dealer will then replace.
While it is extremely simple to swap out bad cards and hope for better ones to make a winning hand, you must keep in your head a few complicators. In this game, aces are high making deuces low and thus, the best card in the game. Also, straights and flushes are no good because you are looking to make the worst hand that you can.
While 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 might look like a good low hand, it isn’t because there is a straight in there. It needs breaking up meaning the best possible hand you can make is 23457 without a flush.
Limit Hold’em
A nice game of Hold’em follows next and it is the first of two in the game. This first serving of Hold’em is a fixed game but other than that it is the same game with a maximum of four betting rounds, pre-flop, flop, turn and river.
Aces are high, and so are the hands so a Royal Flush is your best possible five card hand in this game. It will be constructed from any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards.
Omaha Hi Lo
Omaha games are similar to Hold’em games in that they follow the same betting patterns. The main difference with Omaha is that players are dealt four hole cards and must use precisely two of them to make a winning five card hand.
This, though, is Omaha Hi Lo which is played to almost identical rules until play reaches the showdown. This is because Omaha Hi Lo is a split pot game which means that the pot is split in two with one half going to the winning best hand and the other half going to the best qualifying low hand.
Razz
Razz is another of these variants where the aim is to form the lowest possible five card hand from the seven cards that have been dealt. Essentially, Razz is Seven Card Stud that is played with low aces where straights and flushes do not count.
Because of this the best possible Razz hand is 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace. Those seven cards are dealt at intervals and betting rounds throughout the game known as streets which, assuming everyone is still in the hand, will lead to showdown.
Seven Card Stud
There is almost no difference in the next game Seven Card Stud, but you do need to remember the switch in hand targets.
In Seven Card Stud players are aiming to build the best five card hand from the seven they have been dealt and the dealing is done as above, in seven streets before showdown.
Stud Hi Lo
It’s a return to split pot action next as Stud Hi Lo becomes the game. Stud Hi Lo is a little bit like both of the last two in that it is basically Seven Card Stud played for both high and low over a divided pot that will reward both the best and the worst five card hand made from seven cards.
It can even be called Seven Card Stud Hi Lo or Stud Eight because the low hand requires five unpaired cards, with no card higher than an eight, in order to qualify for the lower portion of the pot. Other than that, the format of the game remains as above.
No-Limit Texas Hold’em
The game should pick up a bit of steam here as the shackles are taken off for a hopefully thrilling almost climatic game of no limits Hold’em (NLHE).
Play runs exactly as is in the first game of Hold’em above but with far more aggressive shoves and all-ins and maybe even a bust or two in some action packed winner takes all hands.
Pot Limit Omaha
PLO, Pot Limit Omaha, is the final game in the rotation and works in the same way as all other Omaha games but this time played at pot limit meaning no more than the pot size can be bet at any one time. Other than that, it’s the same game we played before but for high hands only, the best of which will scoop the whole pot.
Remember, although you are dealt four hole (pocket) cards in games of Omaha Poker, players have to use only two of them, no more no less. These two are used in conjunction with the five community cards to make a winning five card hand.
Where Can I Play 8 Game Mix?
There are not too many online poker rooms that have the powerful software required to carry such a mix of games in one session, but there are a few that do so it is definitely worth you shopping around.
Remember though to always deposit at a guaranteed safe site – there will be a regulator’s licence for proof of this at the bottom of the page – and one where only very latest banking security features are in use.
Because you need to master different game types to play 8 Game Mix online, make sure you at least understand them before you dip your toe into the game. When you do, make sure you are ready because if you’re not the other players at the table will know instantly and threaten your bankroll. But, when you are ready and you do play, you are in for a treat with 8 Game Mix Poker.
FAQ
What Games Are Included In 8 Game Mix Poker?
The games included in 8 Game Mix Poker are, in order, 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi Lo, No Limit Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha.
Does 8 Game Mix Poker Need A Complex Strategy To Win?
Not really, because there are too many different games being played in quick succession.
Can I Play 8 Game Mix Poker Online For Real Money?
Yes, although it is not easy to find.
Is 8 Game Mix Poker Safe To Play?
If you choose a regulated site, then yes.
Any Other Advice For Playing 8 Game Mix Poker?
Get to know each of the individual games being played and understand how they all work. Most are similar but some are split pot, some are played high and others low while the ace fluctuates in value so take each game on its own individual merits.