Mixed games are becoming increasingly popular with more players lining up than ever before to play them online at sites like PokerStars and in person at events like the Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival. For players only familiar with No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha who wish to expand their horizons and give 8-game mix a try for the first time in the live realm, it’s important to understand the unique mechanics of mixed game poker. Once you’ve got them mastered, then it’s time to pick up a few tips about all the different games.
The eight games that constitute the 8-game mix are: No Limit Hold’em, 7 Card Stud, Fixed Limit Omaha 8 or Better, Razz, Pot Limit Omaha, Fixed Limit Hold’em, 7 Card Stud 8 or Better and 2-7 Triple Draw. Here, then, are eight tips for beginners delving into 8-game mix for the first time!
No Limit Hold’em
You know this one right?! Play your game. It might be the only game in the rotation where you can get all your chips in at once, but don’t let this make you too eager or too nervous to play the game as you usually would.
7-Card Stud
Pairs are very playable; as are strong straight and flush draws. If you have four to a flush, you don’t fold! With such a nice price to see the next card, hold on and hope you get there.
Fixed Limit Omaha 8 or Better
You’ll want to play hands capable of making strong highs and/or strong lows; ideally both! You don’t want to be caught chasing half the pot and end up in the position of having both the second-best high hand and the second-best low hand at showdown.
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Razz
Three cards 8 or lower is always a good place to start. Make sure you bet and represent your board, particularly when your opponent has caught bad cards.
Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)
Double suited aces isn’t the only hand you can play in PLO! Hands that have four cards that are well connected, compliment each other, and work well together can offer a lot of value and playability, too.
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Fixed Limit Hold’em
Don’t forget to 3-Bet! It can be tough to get a lot of chips into the middle and win big pots with your big hands in these limit games. Thus, 3-betting can give you the initiative and help add some chips to the pot when you have a strong hand, especially in a game where it is often difficult for your opponents to fold once they’ve hit the flop.
7 Card Stud 8 or Better
The best hands are those with good high and low potential. Low cards (with an Ace) that also have straight and flush potential are very premium hands as they offer chances to scoop the whole pot.
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2-7 Triple Draw
Don’t leave home without a deuce (2), especially from early position! The deuces are the most valuable cards in the game; all the best possible hands that you can make contain a deuce. Be sure to have one of your own if you want to the chance to make those strong hands.
Bonus 8-Game Mix Tip
It’s tough to fold! In Fixed Limit Games you are often getting a very nice price to call down, even in situations that might not look too favourable, so you have to be very careful as overfolding in Limit Games can prove very costly.
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