Mixed Games Going Strong – Will You Be Joining The Action?
4 minutes
Last Updated: September 15, 2021
There is no denying that there is much more to poker than Texas Holdem and PLO games, even though these take the most attention. There are dozens of poker variations out there, and some of them can be just as exciting.
It’s true that most people prefer to stick to what they know, but some also enjoy learning new variations and expanding their knowledge beyond the two popular flop games.
While you can find a fair number of options to just that online, live casinos and poker rooms usually aren’t as colorful. So, what is a person to do if they want to enjoy some good mixed-game action in the live setting?
Mixed Games Festival by Cardplayerlifestyle
Luckily some people think about players with limited options to enjoy different variations, and Robbie Strazynski is one of those guys.
He is organizing the first-ever Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Games Festival, which could add a lot of fun to your Las Vegas experience, so make sure to visit this one if you are playing in WSOP at the start of October.
I have to say that I love the idea of dedicating the entire series to alternative formats and keeping low buy-ins so that everyone could attend the event. But don’t take my word for it. Let's hear what Robbie had to say as to why he decided to organize such an event and why it is dedicated to mixed games.
“I have always loved mixed games. I've been playing in home games for over 15 years where we have a Dealer's Choice game rotation, and we switch the game after every single hand. Hold'em and PLO are great, but there's SO much more variety and nuance to the game of poker. It's really a shame that most poker players haven't even dabbled in anything beyond those two uber-popular variants.
Over the last few times I've visited Las Vegas, we've always been able to round up a few mixed game players and enjoy some great fun-filled, memorable nights at the tables.
To the best of my knowledge, there's never been an entire festival specifically geared towards mixed game players, so I decided to create one. Moreover, there's a ton of players out there who don't necessarily feel comfortable dropping many hundreds or thousands of dollars on mixed game bracelet events.
So now — with the help and support of Westgate Las Vegas hosting us and PokerStars offering a Platinum Pass to our $200 HORSE tournament winner — we've got the perfect opportunity for low-stakes mixed games to shine in the spotlight.”
It's worth noting the idea of the Mixed Game Festival has been long in the making, but the events in recent years haven't made things any easier on Robbie. With live poker finally making a comeback and the World Series returning home, the wait is over, and the timing couldn’t have been better, as everyone is itching for some live poker action.
The event will likely attract a mix of experienced players and those making their first steps into the world of mixed games. If you like the idea as well and consider joining the fun, here’s some mixed game info and actionable tips you can take to the tables.
Having Fun and Mastering Mixed Games
Playing mixed games can be a lot of fun, but learning all these different variations can seem quite scary and confusing. The traditional H.O.R.S.E poker format features two games you already know, Omaha and Hold’em, but there is also Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Eight or Better.
All games are played in the limit betting format, which is another important factor to consider, as you won’t see huge bets like you’re probably used to in PLO and NLHE.
Split games are particularly confusing for new players. Games Like Seven Card Hi-Lo and Omaha Hi-Lo split the pot between the best highest and the best lowest hand. High hands follow standard poker hand rankings, but for the low hand, you need five different cards ranking eight or lower.
This is a very important factor to consider when choosing your starting hands. Ideally, you want to stick to the hands that have the potential to win both sides of the pot, i.e., “scoop the pot,” as mixed games' veterans like to say.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the say “a chip and a chair” really applies to mixed games. If you drop down to just a few big bets, it’s no reason to despair. Stack fluctuations are perfectly normal in these games, and you can easily bounce back with a couple of nice hands.
Whether you're an experienced mixed games player or someone looking to learn while having fun, the Cardplayer Lifestyle mixed games festival is the place to be this autumn.
That said, if you want to give yourself the best chance of winning and potentially scooping that sweet Platinum Pass, check out this mixed games course by Upswing Poker. It's the best resource by far to teach you everything you need to know about all the games you'll come across, and if you take the time to watch it, you'll have the edge over most players in the field, guaranteed!
