Maria Ho Offers Five Beginner H.O.R.S.E. Tips
With 31 cashes lifetime at the World Series of Poker, Maria Ho has proven to be more than just a one-trick pony. In fact, in addition to many no-limit and limit hold��em cashes she has made the money numerous times in mixed-game events as well.
While deep in the 2015 WSOP Event #24: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. on Thursday, working on that 31st cash �� she eventually finished 33rd �� Ho took a little time to give PokerNews readers a few tips for playing one of the more popular mixed-game variants at the WSOP.
��Overall, to be successful in H.O.R.S.E. events, you need to be proficient at all the games,�� Ho said. ��I think a lot of people come in here and try to play only the flop games or the stud games. You need to be proficient in all the games.��
��A lot of people also play entirely too loose, especially in the hold��em rounds. You don��t actually need to play any hands in the hold��em rounds, but that��s usually people��s default game, so they play too many hands there and that��s a big mistake.��
H.O.R.S.E. consists of limit hold��em, Omaha hi-low, razz, seven-card stud, and seven-card stud hi-low. Ho offered up her top five tips for beginners to H.O.R.S.E. events, one for each of the games spread:
Limit Hold��em
��I would say play tight and either be three-betting or folding,�� she said.
Omaha Hi-Low
��Play hands that can scoop and not win just half the pot,�� she said. ��Play hands that are good for both high and low.��
Razz
��Like in all the stud games, you need to have good board awareness,�� she explained.
��You need to realize which cards are dead and which are still live. I think people play a lot looser in razz than they should. There��s a big decision on sixth in razz, and I think people play that street pretty badly.��
Seven-Card Stud
��My strategy is to find good bluff spots in stud,�� she said. ��I think people play pretty true to the board and don��t bluff enough in stud.��
Seven Card Stud Hi-Low
��Similarly to [Omaha Hi-Low], you need to play hands that can win both the high and the low,�� she said.
��Don��t play hands that are three to a low but don��t give you any straight possibilities. Too many people play hands like that and I really don��t think it��s the right strategy.��
Thanks to Maria Ho for taking the time to talk H.O.R.S.E. strategy with us. Event #24 continues today, where 31 players began the day from a field of 772 to continue battling for the bracelet.
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