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:

Head to the Poker Rules page to find out the full Hand Rankings for each poker variant.

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.

There 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.

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