Horse Poker aka "H.O.R.S.E."
HORSE is a game or tournament format in which five forms
of poker are played in rotation, usually either half an hour
of each or one round of each. The games are limit hold 'em,
Omaha/8, razz, seven-card stud (high), and seven-card stud
high-low (the e standing for 8-or-better).
H.O.R.S.E. is a form of poker commonly played at the high stakes tables of casinos. It consists of rounds of play alternating between hold 'em (H), Omaha eight or better (O), razz (R), seven card stud (S) and seven card stud eight or better (E), in that order. HORSE is a limit game, including hold 'em, although sometimes in tournament situations, like the 2006 World Series of Poker event, the final table is no-limit hold 'em.
A H.O.R.S.E. tournament was held at the World Series of Poker in 2004 when it was won by Scott Fischman. The 2006 World Series H.O.R.S.E. tournament had a record-setting $50,000 entry fee and was won by David "Chip" Reese. The $50,000 buy-in tournament will return for the 2007 WSOP, which will also feature H.O.R.S.E. events with $2,500 and $5,000 buy-ins.
"We're delighted that ESPN is bringing even more depth to its already superb coverage of the WSOP," said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "No one produces poker better than ESPN, and its powerful audience of sports fans will see all of the thrills, drama and excitement that make us so unique."
Although the final schedule is subject to change, ESPN plans to televise 16 hours of coverage of the WSOP Main Event, as well as 10 one-hour programs covering other bracelet events. The $50,000 HORSE Championship will receive six hours of airtime and the format of the final table will include all five games of HORSE.