PokerStars is making waves at this year’s European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague with the debut of their first-ever Mixed Games Main Event. Featuring a €2,200 buy-in and awarding a coveted PokerStars shard trophy for the winner, this groundbreaking event underscores the growing popularity of mixed games both live and online and reinforces PokerStars’ dedication to innovation and increased game variety beyond No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.
The event is slated to kick off tomorrow, December 12, and follows what has been a robust presence of numerous mixed game tournaments on the schedule, including the €1,100 Big Bet Mix and the €550 H.O.R.S.E. Other staples, such as the €1,100 and €5,200 8-Game tournaments, rounded out a lineup that’s certainly created excitement among enthusiasts of poker’s more nuanced formats.
Why Mixed Games? PokerStars Ambassadors Explain
Parker Talbot, a five-time WCOOP champion with victories in H.O.R.S.E. and 8-Game formats, describes mixed games as the ultimate challenge. “Mixed Games are the ultimate test of skill, strategy, and adaptability,” Talbot says. “Watching WCOOP and SCOOP final table replays is easily the best way to study, if you aren’t using some of the few mixed game tools” or enrolled with one of the big poker training sites.
Talbot isn’t alone in his enthusiasm. Double WCOOP champion and popular streamer Sebastian Huber, who won a H.O.R.S.E. title earlier this year, emphasizes preparation. “The more you practice, the better you will get,” Huber advises. With “so many good Mixed Game tournaments on PokerStars, you can practice as much as you want. I always love the atmosphere in mixed games tournaments. Everyone has so much fun!” he continued.
Finally, BSOP 9-Game champion GJ Reggie — who some of you may recall recently wrote a great 3-part mixed game miniseries of mixed game strategy articles for Cardplayer Lifestyle — offers additional insights, highlighting the importance of focus. “Pay attention to everything: blinds, limits, game types, and position,” she says. She continued on to mention that games like NL 2-7 Single Draw are less familiar to many players, so understanding the dynamics, including the larger antes and fewer betting rounds, can give you an edge.
A Solid Step Forward for Mixed Games
The €2,200 Mixed Games Main Event is a three-day, single re-entry tournament that’s meant to recognize and celebrate the increasing demand for these poker formats. PokerStars even ran online qualifiers to ensure players of all levels had a shot at this milestone event.
The tournament’s 10-Game rotation includes:
- Fixed Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
- Pot Limit Omaha
- Fixed Limit Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better
- Fixed Limit Badugi
- Fixed Limit Hold’em
- No Limit 2-7 Single Draw
- Fixed Limit Stud
- Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
- No Limit Hold’em
- Fixed Limit Razz
More Mixed Games Are Better!
It’s great to see one of the world’s leading poker operators double down on their commitment to growing mixed games, giving players more opportunities to compete and improve their skills in these diverse poker formats.
As our loyal fans know, mixed games have long been something we’ve strived to advocate for and showcase here at Cardplayer Lifestyle. Over the years, we’ve hosted nine Mixed Game Festivals, offering recreational players and pros alike a chance to compete in a friendly, community-driven environment.
Among these festivals, many have been proudly sponsored by PokerStars, including the most recent Mixed Game Festival IX, held in partnership with PokerStars during the 2024 NAPT Las Vegas. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to promoting mixed games and ensuring they remain an integral part of the poker landscape.
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