How to Play 8-Game Poker
What is 8 Game Poker?
8-Game Poker, or just 8-Game, is a poker variant comprising of eights separate poker disciplines played on rotation. The disciplines are (in order): 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
Here we go over the poker rules for 8-Game.
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How to Play 8-Game Poker
In order to play 8-Game, you must have at least some knowledge of all eight disciplines. Here at PokerNews we have guides on each discipline that is part of the 8-Game mix:
8-Game Poker Rules
Just like with H.O.R.S.E., the games can be split up in several different ways.
In 8-Game Poker there are three different types of game: Flop, Board and Draw Games. The four Hold'em/Omaha variants are all flop games that involve a Flop, Turn and River being dealt. The three board games (Razz, Stud and Stud Hi-Lo) are all board games, with players having their own boards in front of them for other players to see. 2-7 Triple Draw is the lone draw game in the mix.
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Play NowThere is also one Draw game in the form of 2-7 Triple Draw.
Just like H.O.R.S.E. there are two split pot games. That means that in Omaha Hi/Lo and Stud Hi/Lo, half the pot is awarded to the best hand (Hi) and the other half is awarded to the worst hand (Lo).
Each game requires a closer look at its own strategy, so we recommend you head to the PokerNews Poker Rules section for more help on each individual game.
Top 8-Game Strategy Tips
For some great things to take into consideration when playing 8-Game, Ashley Adams has these eight helpful strategy tips:
- For all of the games, learn at least the basic strategy on every street
- Take notes on what you learn about each game, and regularly add to those notes from your own experience as you learn more
- Know your relative strengths and weaknesses in each game
- Be willing to avoid confrontations with better opponents
- Be aware of your image in each game
- Don't assume you'll be a winner at your best game
- Resist "Fancy Play Syndrome" in your best game
- Keep careful track of what game you're playing
Click here for more Mixed Games Poker Strategy and Tips
WSOP Poker Players Championship
The $50,000 Poker Players Championship is one of the most prestigious events at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), and continues to attract some of the best mixed game players from around the world.
It was introduced in 2006 as the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E, and was play under this format until 2010 when it became the Poker Players Championship and the format switched to 8-Game. It has remained this way ever since, apart from 2015 where badugi, and 2–7 No-Limit Single Draw were added to a 10-Game mix.
After 2006 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. winner David "Chip" Reese died in December 2007, the WSOP created the Chip Reese memorial trophy that is awarded to the champion of each year's Poker Player's Championship.
Michael Mizrachi is the most successful player in Poker Players Championship history, winning the event a record three times (2010, 2012, 2018).
| Year | Entries | Prizepool | Winner | Payout (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 74 | $3,552,000 | Phil Hui | $1,099,311 |
| 2018 | 87 | $4,176,000 | Michael Mizrachi | $1,239,126 |
| 2017 | 100 | $4,800,000 | Elior Sion | $1,395,767 |
| 2016 | 91 | $4,176,000 | Brian Rast | $1,296,097 |
| 2015 | 84 | $4,032,000 | Mike Gorodinsky | $1,270,086 |
| 2014 | 102 | $4,896,000 | John Hennigan | $1,517,767 |
| 2013 | 132 | $6,336,000 | Matthew Ashton | $1,774,089 |
| 2012 | 108 | $5,184,000 | Michael Mizrachi | $1,451,527 |
| 2011 | 128 | $6,144,000 | Brian Rast | $1,720,328 |
| 2010 | 116 | $5,568,000 | Michael Mizrachi | $1,559,046 |
| 2009 | 95 | $4,560,000 | David Bach | $1,276,802 |
| 2008 | 148 | $7,104,000 | Scotty Nguyen | $1,989,120 |
| 2007 | 148 | $7,104,000 | Freddy Deeb | $2,276,832 |
| 2006 | 143 | $6,864,000 | David "Chip" Reese | $1,716,000 |
8-Game FAQs
What is 8-Game?
8-Game is a mixed game poker variant comprising of eights separate poker disciplines played on rotation. The disciplines are (in order): 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
How is 8-Game played?
Players work there way through a rotation of the following poker disciplines: 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
What is a board game in 8-Game?
Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi/Lo are the board games in 8-Game.
What is a flop game in 8-Game?
No-Limit Hold'em, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better and Pot Limit Omaha are the flop games in 8-Game.
What is a draw game in 8-Game?
The only draw game in 8-Game is 2-7 Triple Draw.