From there, a few game-specific titles from 2+2 publishing came out through the 90s, followed by Super System 2 in 2005, a very thorough nearly 700-page effort by Ken Lo titled A Poker Player’s Guide to Mixed Games in 2014, and most recently Chris Wallace and the Mizrachi brothers’ 2022 release, Getting Started with HORSE.

Each of these books has its merits, but what I and many others feel is the must-read for comprehensive mixed game information is Mastering Mixed Games by Dylan Linde, first published in 2019.

For those unfamiliar with Linde’s extensive resume, his Hendon Mob profile lists over $6.6 million in career tournament earnings in No-Limit Hold ‘em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and of course a litany of mixed games. He’s a WPT champion, a WSOP bracelet winner in Mixed Omaha, and has multiple big scores and victories in high-roller events.

Linde is one of poker’s best and most well-rounded players, but his love and knowledge of mixed games are what he’s chosen to share with the poker world, and Mastering Mixed Games (MMG) is a book that can be appreciated by both those just dipping their toes into the mixed game waters, and by experienced players alike.

Mastering Mixed Games: What’s Inside?

While books may have taken a back seat to online content when it comes to poker training over the years as people’s time has become more and more valuable, I can absolutely recommend MMG for not just the quality of content throughout, but because that content is laser-focused and very consumable. If there are criticisms to be made of previously written content on mixed games, it’s that they can be like a Michael Bay movie in that if you shave a good 20 minutes to a half-hour from it in the edit suite, you get an infinitely more watchable movie.

Coming in at a very readable 304 pages, with no game-specific section more than 42 pages long, Mastering Mixed Games is the equivalent of a smash-and-grab 90-minute thrill ride, with no wasted words throughout.

Those sections are separated within the formats of flop games, stud games, and draw games, with all games covered listed below.

Flop games:

• Limit Hold ‘em
• Limit Omaha 8 or Better
• Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better (40 BB Cap)

Stud Games:

• 7 Card Stud
• Razz
• 7 Card Stud 8 or Better

Draw Games:

• 2-7 Triple Draw
• Badugi
• Badeucey and Badacey

Single Draw Game:

• No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw (40 BB Cap)

Each section has a brief introduction explaining the rules of the game being discussed before getting to the heart of the lessons. A short quiz with answers and explanations follows at the end of each section.

As mentioned, Linde’s teachings of each game are incredibly efficient and well-written. There are no skippable pages anywhere. Consistent lessons in each game include opening ranges by position, playing versus raises and three-bets, the importance of playing to scoop in split pot games, types of hands that play better heads-up versus multi-way, and strategies for every street of play within a hand, be it flop, turn, and river; 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd draw; or 3^rd-7^th streets.

Dylan Linde with his book

Something that is illustrated very effectively throughout Mastering Mixed Games is how close equities run in many spots, no matter the game. As such, equity comparisons are shown throughout, providing visual and mathematical examples including variations of hands showing how what may appear to be a slight difference in hand strength can have a notable impact on its value. In particular, I found the various equity comparisons included in the Stud and Draw games sections to be very helpful.

With each section clocking in at roughly 20-40 pages, readers can quickly navigate the book to study the specific game they want and get an intense yet easily understood lesson in a very reasonable amount of time. With the aforementioned breakdowns of street-by-street play clearly identified in each section as well, intricate and specific study modules can be easily found. Need to brush up on your 5^th street play in Stud 8 or your post-2nd draw play in Badugi? These specifics can easily be found.

If I must drop a bit of criticism on MMG, unfortunately, deep-stacked, non-cap play in big-bet games and tournament-specific strategies are areas not covered. Big-bet games are only taught with consideration for a 40 BB cap, as is quite common in mixed cash games. Pot-Limit variations of Triple Draw and Badugi are also not discussed. Strategies throughout are primarily based on a 6- or 7-handed mixed cash game format.

Those are small drawbacks though, considering the wealth of information throughout the rest of the book.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, MMG is a great resource for mixed game players, no matter their experience or skill level. As with most mixed game players, I consider myself more proficient in certain games than others, however, I was still able to boost my knowledge significantly with this poker strategy book.

As for the games that I don’t get a chance to practice regularly (shout out Badeucey and Badacey), MMG provides a great primer for when I do get to splash around in the split-pot triple draw streets, giving me the perspective for this review of both experienced and novice players.

I appreciated MMG’s efficiency and readability in teaching both types of players. What a reader may already understand is elaborated on effectively, while those with limited knowledge of a game also receive easily understandable instruction which will quickly get them acclimated to their new game of choice.

Mastering Mixed Games is truly the gold standard for mixed-game poker instruction for players of all skill levels. And if you’re crazy enough and really want to learn Pot-Limit Triple Draw, Linde is a super friendly and approachable person who I’m sure would be happy to personally pass along his knowledge in that insane game as well.

Lastly, Linde is a regular attendee at Cardplayer Lifestyle’s Mixed Game Festivals and will happily autograph your copy of his book as well as help you get your reps in in the low-limit mixed game streets.

There is no better time to expand into other poker variants than right now, with plenty of big poker series on offer both live and online. As a veteran poker player who has played many mixed games, I believe there are compelling reasons to give them a try. I list my top five below.

1. Variety is the Spice of Life

No Limit Texas Hold’Em is often referred to as “The Cadillac of Poker.” But if you had your choice of any vehicle, any time, would you always drive a Caddy? If you could, wouldn’t you want to hop into a reliable Range Rover for some off-roading (Stud), make intense and calculated moves in a rally car (2-7 Triple Draw), or dial things up a notch on a ludicrous motorcycle (Big O with Double Board Bomb Pots)?

As Mason Pye, leader of the Mixed Games Movement – and my good friend – puts it, “I always say that learning Mixed Games or any new variant in general will help you become a well-rounded poker player. You can walk into any casino or card room and sit down and play any variant they offer. They say that variety is the spice of life, and mixed games are the spice of poker.” Pye’s point about becoming well-rounded leads me to my second reason you should try mixed games…

2. You’ll Improve Your Overall Poker IQ

Speaking from my own personal experience, learning mixed games will have far-reaching effects on your poker acumen. Mixed games offer a variety of games to choose from, each with its own unique strategy and nuances. By diversifying your game selection, you’ll keep your brain agile, breaking up the monotony of playing the same game every time.

I talk about these new puzzles to solve as keeping a “stone in your shoe,” something that continues to poke at you until you’ve got it figured out. What’s more, you’ll get to experience intense poker spots that you would never otherwise see. Consider for example this 2-7 Triple Draw hand which is, statistically speaking, the worst bad beat ever televised:

Learning a new variant will also help you think about Hold’em from a different perspective. For example, you can learn to notice blockers from PLO and PLO8 – which are equally important in NLHE, or start seeing those triple-barrel bluff opportunities early in a hand from practice “snowing” in 2-7 Triple Draw.

To use a workout analogy, for me playing mixed games instead of NLHE has often been like doing a different arm or chest exercise to get past a point where I was stuck on bench press. I felt as if I had pushed past a barrier and unlocked a new bit of my brain.

3. You’re Missing Out on +EV Spots

It is often said that “in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” Well in a landscape of solvers, poker training sites, and tournament schedules almost exclusively dedicated to No Limit Hold ‘Em, it’s the mixed games player who wears the crown. Not only are you expanding your poker knowledge, but you’re also gaining an edge on the competition.

In this two-card dominated world, when a live series like WSOP or a big online tournament offering like PokerStars SCOOP puts up large buy-in mixed games MTTs, or when the cash game turns to Dealer’s Choice, these fields are rife with players playing these games for the first time – to fill an extra table slot online, to chase a leaderboard, or because they just binked a big NLHE score live and want to splash around. You will absolutely dominate if you have spent time learning mixed games.

This does come with a caveat, however. While games may often be soft, beware of your fellow mixed games enthusiasts. Once you start to learn and love these games, you’ll spot those with whom you share that kinship quickly. They’ll be in every MTT, at your $5/10 HORSE table every night. You’ll see them make a move or use a term that no NLHE player would ever make or use.

But that is where the fun begins: if you think leveling wars in NLHE can get out of control, just wait until you begin to find some of the amazing spots that present themselves in some of the more unorthodox games when two crushers go toe-to-toe. So, not only are you missing out on profitable +EV spots, but also on the thrill of intensely competitive poker in fresh and exciting situations.

4. They’re Easier Than You Might Think

Mixed games may seem daunting at first, but while – like all poker – they have a high skill ceiling, the skill floor is lower than you might think. If you’re already an experienced Hold’Em player, you’ll find that many of the skills you’ve developed are transferable to other games, especially (but not exclusively) flop games. The rules of most mixed games are not as complicated as they may seem, and after a few hands, you’ll quickly get the hang of things.

And not to mention the players are friendly! Tobias Leknes, SCOOP and WCOOP Champion and mixed games specialist, says “[Mixed games are] way more social when played live. They also let you reexperience the thrill of getting into poker and exploring it in a slightly less competitive way than NLHE and PLO.” This camaraderie, along with the soft game opportunities mentioned above, make it much easier to get above that skill floor than many players would assume.

While resources can be scarce for beginners, Cardplayer Lifestyle’s Mixed Games Poker Guide is a great place to start out. Plus, there is a new option to learn. Mason Pye and Tobias Leknes have launched the Mixed Games Beginner’s Bundle on BBZ, a fantastic value for a solid mixed games foundation.

Me and @TobiasLeknes have teamed up with @BBZPoker to present our Mixed Games Beginner’s Bundle.

The bundle covers 7 different variants, including Razz, Omaha Hi/Lo, Badugi and more.

As a new player to Mixed Games, it can be difficult to know where to begin. pic.twitter.com/RGfCe2a2sB

— Mason Pye (@pyefacepoker) April 13, 2023

5. They’re FUN!

Finally, mixed games are quite simply a lot of fun to play. I wouldn’t be writing this article otherwise. Mixed games provide a refreshing break from Hold’Em and allow you to explore different strategies and approaches to the game. You’ll meet new players and develop new relationships in the poker community. Playing mixed games adds excitement and variety to your poker life, and can even reignite your passion for the game.

So, where should you go to play mixed games? Well, naturally, there’s Cardplayer Lifestyle’s fun-filled Mixed Game Festivals hosted by this site’s founder Robbie Strazynski.

Those aside, your best bet is of course to head to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. The WSOP has a full slate of mixed games events, including HORSE, 2-7 Triple Draw, and Razz.

If you can’t make it to the WSOP, there are still plenty of options for playing mixed games online. Many online poker sites offer mixed games in their rotation, particularly PokerStars, where SCOOP offers High, Medium and Low variants in many mixed games poker offerings, and Micro Millions comes along with even more affordable entry points.

While NLHE may be the most popular form of poker, it’s important not to overlook the variety and strategy of mixed games. If you’re a serious poker player, learning how to play mixed games can give you a competitive edge and a new challenge to keep your game fresh. And for recreationals, trying out a mixed game can be a fun and exciting way to mix up your poker routine. So, why not give it a shot and see if you have what it takes to become a complete poker player and master the mix?

Early bird $4/$8 mix! Got my donut from Randy's and I am ready to cover todays festivities! #MixedGameFestival
First game up was chosen by @cardplayerlife Holdem – Omaha pic.twitter.com/vZkWsU75kD

— Criminal Bizzy (@Criminal_Bizzy) March 21, 2023

We started playing seven handed and all agreed to start with one of Robbie Strazynski’s favorite games, “Hold’Em – Omaha” (a.k.a., “SOHE” or “SHOP”), a game where you are dealt six cards and then split your hand into one Hold’Em hand and one Omaha hand before the flop. Other poker games in the rotation included Drawmaha, 2-7 triple draw, Badugi, Omaha Best Best, Super Stud, and Badeucey. Apparently, someone called Razz on Robbie, but I was unable to find anyone who could corroborate his tweet.

They didn’t get the memo… #callrazzonrobbie pic.twitter.com/UG0uJIV4D8

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) March 21, 2023

Soon we were joined by Dylan Linde and we had a full game! Linde stopped by to enjoy playing some of the mixed games with the attendees of the Mixed Game Festival and to sign copies of his book Mastering Mixed Games, which can be obtained during the festival for a discounted price of $20, of which proceeds benefit the charity Poker Gives. They are a non-profit organization that distributes funds to assist military families, homeless veterans, and youth programs in Las Vegas, Nevada. While playing at the table, Dylan was happy to answer any questions about games and gave out advice about how hands were played. Scott, a newer player from Florida who is quickly finding the enjoyment of mixed games, took full advantage of this as he is learning how to navigate the poker hands.

The waitlist quickly filled up as more players started to find their way back to Day 3 of the Mixed Game Festival. Plenty of great merch, including hoodies (courtesy of PokerGO and RunGoodGear), portable poker table mats (courtesy of BBO Poker Tables), and books (courtesy of D&B Poker) were being given away to players via randomly drawn splash pots.

Players could find a mix game at many different levels. There main games for the festival were $4/$8 but if that wasn’t enough to get your blood pumping you could test your skill at $8/$16, and the regular $80/$160 and $300/$600 mixed were also running in the room. The room was full of poker players and you could hear the laughter emanating from all tables as they enjoyed themselves in playing the countless different variations of poker.

Poker Hall of Famer Eli Elezra came to Resorts World to join in on the fun and sign copies of his autobiography Pulling the Trigger. He decided to sit down and show Robbie how to play his stack and splashed around a bit while we all played Baduecy.

Numerous players were excited about getting the chance to play with Eli, but perhaps nobody more than Florida’s Brian Dowd, who recorded a short video to document the moment.

What’s it like playing $4/8 Dealer’s Choice with a Poker Hall of Famer?

Florida’s Brian Dowd shares his emotional experience sharing the felt with @elielezra1.

Come to @PokerRoomRWLV to have YOUR experience at @PokerLifeMedia‘s #MixedGameFestival!

Day 4 starts within the hour. pic.twitter.com/ll1plDdwXt

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) March 22, 2023

Legendary poker commentator Norman Chad also came out to play. He was not due to appear until Day 4 but could not resist the chance to mixed it up at the felt. Players almost had the opportunity to watch him go heads up against Eli Elezra in a Dealer’s Choice game, but Norman politely declined, informing Eli that he was in attendance for the fans!

The games kept running into the night and until the wee hours of the morning. The mixed games outlasted all the other tables in the room. Some players even made a late night delivery order of pizza so that they could continue to play without having to leave the game. The final orbit we all agreed to play “Fun Under the Gun”. A game where the players are dealt their hands but then the under the gun player gets to look at their hand and decide what game to play. Typically this game is played with four cards but to give us more options the game was played with five. The $4/$8 game finally broke around 6:30 AM as players said they would see each other in a few hours to start another game. An $8/$16 game was still running, the last table with players in the room. It would not be surprising to see everyone bright an early, but not so early, for Day 4 of the Mixed Game Festival.

Day 4 and 5 Preview

Wednesday will feature the continuation of dealer’s choice cash games. WSOP $10K HORSE bracelet winner Chris “Fox” Wallace will be in attendance with his pen ready to sign copies of his book Getting Started with HORSE. Copies of the book can be obtained for $25, with proceeds benefitting Poker Gives. Thursday will feature the festival’s marquee event, a $260 H.O.R.S.E. tournament with a chance to win an EPT Prague prize package, sponsored by PokerStars. The package with an estimated total value of over $3,000 will include:

• €550 buy-in to a Mixed Game tournament
• Roundtrip airfare for one
• Four nights’ accommodation

Cardplayer Lifestyle’s Mixed Game Festival is truly one of the best events to look forward to in Las Vegas. Where else will you see poker celebrities who usually tee off for nosebleed stakes mixing it up with weekend warriors and home game heroes?

Many laughs, hugs, and bad beats are shared as players spend time catching up with each other and teaching different forms of poker. It doesn’t matter how good you are at poker; we just want to share our passion for the many, many games. Don’t be shy about joining us for a few orbits. Trust me, it will be the most fun you will ever have losing money. I myself didn’t book a win and I still ended the day — er, morning? — with a big smile.

We’re proud to announce that Mixed Game Festival IV will see a return to the fabulous Resorts World Las Vegas from March 19-23 to stage what’s sure to be another exciting week of mixed game poker.

This time around, the festival will include a pair of tournaments, namely a $260 Omaha 8/Stud 8 tournament on Monday March 20, and a $260 H.O.R.S.E. tournament on Thursday March 23 as our grand finale.

Alongside the tournaments, nonstop dealer’s choice cash game action will be spread at stakes as low as $4/8 and $8/16, with higher stakes available upon request.

“We are delighted to be welcoming back Cardplayer Lifestyle’s Mixed Game Festival. Last year’s festival was so successful that we are thrilled to have the opportunity to host it again and can’t wait to get started,” said Leon Wheeler, Director of Poker Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Cardplayer Lifestyle Omaha 8 – Stud 8 Tournament Structure + Rules

Cardplayer Lifestyle H.O.R.S.E. Tournament Structure Sheet + Rules

Grand Prize Package Details

The EPT Prague prize package, which will be awarded to the winner of our H.O.R.S.E. tournament, will consist of:

• Mixed Game tournament buy-in up to €550
• Roundtrip airfare for one
• Four nights’ accommodation

Estimated total value of the prize package is over $3,000. Beyond the objective monetary value, however, our winner will have the opportunity to play against some of the world’s top mixed game players on the prestigious European Poker Tour stop in Prague this December. Here’s what that feels like.

Freebies and Giveaways

A hallmark of our Mixed Game Festivals are the “value adds”, and that will begin right away with a fun-filled feast:

Hey @PokerLifeMedia #MixedGameFestival fans, guess what?

We’ll be having a (FREE) pizza party to kick off the dealer’s choice cash game festivities at 12pm Noon on March 19th!

Be sure to join us at @PokerRoomRWLV from March 19-23!

Tons more stuff waiting in the wings pic.twitter.com/1fU6ioIqDF

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) March 2, 2023

Beyond the EPT Prague prize package, we’ve got some sweet extras that our players will surely enjoy, including:

• “Bubble protection” for both tournaments + FREE poker training site memberships courtesy of Pokercoaching.com
• Multiple daily merchandise giveaways courtesy of premium poker industry brands like: RunGoodGear, BBO Poker Tables, D&B Poker Publishing, PokerGO, and more!

In addition, over the course of Mixed Game Festival IV, we’ll be staging three poker book signings:

• On Tuesday March 21st, WSOP bracelet winner Dylan Linde will be signing copies of his book Mastering Mixed Games, available for purchase at a discounted price of $25
• On Wednesday March 22nd, WSOP bracelet winner Chris Wallace will be signing copies of his book Getting Started With HORSE at a discounted price of $25.
• Poker Hall of Famer Eli Elezra will be signing copies of his autobiography Pulling the Trigger for a discounted price of $10.

A portion of all proceeds derived from the book sales will be donated to Poker Gives, a non-profit organization that distributes funds to assist military families, homeless veterans, and youth programs in Las Vegas.

You can score discounted hotel room rates at Resorts World by using promo code YYPKR when booking online or calling directly: 1-833-930-3888.

Among the highlights our players love during @PokerLifeMedia Mixed Game Festivals, is the chance to mix it up for low stakes with poker celebs.

We’ll be back at @PokerRoomRWLV from March 19-23.

No telling WHO might show up to join us… pic.twitter.com/9TzWjPgQ3D

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) February 12, 2023

Daily Event Coverage

A couple of our wonderful contributing writers — Christina Bradfield and Brian “Bizzy” Gutierrez —  will be on-site producing daily recaps that highlight all the action during our Mixed Game Festival, and you’ll be able to find them right here on Cardplayerlifestyle.com. We’ll also be covering the festival extensively via social media on our Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Show up and take part in the festivities, and you could “see your name in lights” alongside some top poker pros and popular poker personalities who’ve pledged to come and take part in all the fun.

Rebecca McAdam Willetts, Director of Partnerships & PR at PokerStars said, “What we love about this event is it has a very specific purpose and style; it provides players who love to dabble in a variety of games a home-game type atmosphere and environment, but of course with some serious competition. We always try to encourage and support such demonstrations of love for the game and are very happy to be a part of it by giving the community something that continues the journey onwards after the Vegas shenanigans!”

Looking forward to seeing you all in Las Vegas!

Got questions about our upcoming Mixed Game Festival? Please contact: [email protected]

The beautiful Mediterranean island country will once again play host to hordes of poker players descending on its shores for another week filled with poker action, big guarantees, and countless extracurricular activities off the felt.

Malta Poker Festival (MPF) founder Ivonne Montealegre has done a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes to ensure that the upcoming event will be even bigger and better than previous ones. Montealegre didn’t try to hide her excitement: “This will be a very special Spring MPF. We have really let our creativity as organizers fly free. Look at the schedule: it has a bit of everything for every poker taste. A fantastic Grand Event powered by Unibet DSO, with a guaranteed prize pool of at least €300,000. Not only Texas Hold’em, but HORSE and Crazy Pineapple are on the roster, too. I am excited to show the poker world why the Malta Poker Festival is one of the fastest growing tournaments in the world. At a very affordable price point, you get to experience a five-star poker operation.”

A Schedule to Fit Every Poker Taste

A great thing about the Malta Poker Festival is that it’s an event for every poker fan out there. With affordable buy-ins, great organization, and super atmosphere that you can just feel in the air, it represents a perfect destination for those looking for a poker vacation spot.

This year, things have only gotten better, as the MPF has joined forces with the Unibet Deepstack Open for the €300,000 GTD Grand Event. The price to enter is €550, but there will be plenty of live satellites for those visiting Portomaso Casino, as well as online feeders available on Unibet Poker.

The Grand Event may be the one with the big guarantee attached to it, but it’s just one of many tournaments on the schedule for the 2023 Spring Malta Poker Festival, with numerous side events in the offing.

One for the Ladies

The Ladies First! event takes place on April 29 and it will be hosted by Chris Read, the last year’s winner. For this one, the organizers have teamed up with Poker Power, promising yet another great tournament for the ladies to enjoy.

Talking about the event, Montealegre stated: “Ladies First! is one love of my life and the sponsorship by Poker Power is a great match. We are getting more and more women into the game we love.”

Chris Read is just as excited about the event and the opportunity to welcome poker playing ladies to the island: “Last year I was lucky enough to win the Ladies First Event at the Malta Poker Festival. This year Ivonne has given me the honor of hosting the Ladies First Event on April 29th in the beautiful Portosomo Casino! If you’re up for the most fabulous place you’ve ever played poker we would love to see you on the beautiful Island of Malta!”

https://t.co/SePQeKqoGg

— Christina Read (@chrisreadpoker) April 30, 2022

Fun With Mixed Games

Martin Smith, a Malta local, stalwart attendee of the MPF events, and a true mixed-games aficionado, will play host for the HORSE event. This will be one of the opening tournaments, taking place on April 25 and giving players a chance to show their skills in non-Hold’em variations for an affordable buy-in of €220.

Looking forward to the upcoming HORSE event, Smith was very enthusiastic:

It is really exciting to be hosting this HORSE tournament at the Malta Poker Festival. There should be a good turnout from the local poker community combined with players visiting for the wider festival who want to try their hand at these games. For those who want to try even more variants of our beloved game, there will be mixed cash games available for at least 3 days of the festival!

It is a formula I hope we can repeat and indeed grow at other events. I want operators to offer mixed games options for those of us with a passion for such fun times.

The Hendon Mob Championship is back as well, playing out on April 28 and 29, while Jackie Cachie, a.k.a., “Poker Mamma”, will host the Seniors Event on Saturday, April 29.

As you can see, there will be plenty of poker to play on Malta the last week of April, with a host of smaller events and the action-packed side game action there to keep you busy,

Beyond the poker, especially if it is your first time visit, you could also enjoy some off-the-table activities, too!

Enjoy Malta at Its Finest

If you like to mingle and meet other poker players, the MPF opening ceremony takes place on April 27 at 22:00 at the Hilton Quarterdeck Bar. Feel free to pop over for welcome drinks and start your poker holiday with a nice, relaxed evening before hitting the tables.

For more fun and drinks, there is the All-In Friday event at Club Level 22. Things kick off at 22:00 on April 28 and the party will last throughout the night. All VIP package holders can enter for free, but 15 euro will get you inside regardless.

Of course, if you’re visiting Malta for the first time, you’ll probably want to see something outside of the drinking and clubbing scene (which is pretty amazing, to be fair).

On the Saturday morning, there will be an organized Valletta Cultural City Tour departing from the Hilton Hotel. The tour will last for a couple of hours and you’ll get to see some of the most important landmarks before returning to the tables later on. Just make sure not to go too heavy on drinks on the night before!

No matter how you look at it, the Malta Poker Festival this spring has plenty to offer. Great poker, vibrant night life, rich culture, and amazing weather (and I mean amazing) are just some of the reasons to pack your bags and join the fun in the sun this April!

The action on the felt was similar to that of the previous day, with everyone choosing a game they liked the most and virtually no limits as to what games were allowed — save for for one notable exception…

The rarely seen Robbie Strazynski death stare.

That’s what happens when someone threatens to call NL Hold’em in a Dealer’s Choice mix

Credit: @DegenOnTour pic.twitter.com/j2VmDRwTDY

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) October 27, 2022

Things would get pretty crazy at times, even for some seasoned mixed game regulars. For some variations, dealers had to consult the players, but overall everyone was very chill about it. One other notable change from the previous day’s cash game action was the introduction of €1/€1 pot limit mixed games that were interspersed with the €5/€10 fixed limit ones. Betting per player was capped at €150 though, so things didn’t get too out of hand, and no player really got “stung” too hard.

I spoke to a few of the players – both Malta locals as well as those who flew in from abroad to attend – to hear what they had to say about Mixed Game Festival III, what it meant to them, and whether it was all they had hoped for and looked forward to.

Full Focus on Having Fun

Being a poker player myself, I understand that people don’t like being distracted while at the table, so I did my best to catch them between the hands and chat with them. Everyone I talked to was more than happy to take a few minutes and share their thoughts about the Festival and mixed games in general.

Milko van Winden, from Pokercode, was one of those who came to attend the Mixed Game Festival for the first time. He wanted to get involved since the very first one, but the two that took place in the US were, unfortunately, out of reach. But when Robbie announced the one in Malta, he knew he had to come.

Hailing from the Netherlands, this festival provided a great opportunity for him not only to play some mixed games as this is no longer an option in his country (even online), but also to reconnect with a friend who relocated to Malta over a year ago. So, it was a win-win proposition in multiple ways.

Martin Smith is a local player, and he kindly invited me to sit down and join the fun. Unlike many people you might meet at the poker tables, it was clear he wasn’t doing it with a goal of “taking my money.” He was genuinely having a great time and enjoying himself and just wanted others to share that joy. He was one of those players who pretty much played every minute of both cash game sessions, as well as in the Day 1 HORSE tournament.

This was Martin’s second time joining the Mixed Game Festival after playing in Las Vegas earlier this year (and winning the event’s grand prize!). He told me, and I was a bit surprised to hear, that the mixed game live scene in Malta was quite lively and that they played cash games regularly, a couple of times a week. Martin also told me he doesn’t play Hold’em all that often and explained what playing mixed games meant for him:

“I love mixed games for the challenge of having to think about a different game every few hands. We all want to win each other’s money, obviously, but we are here to be sociable and have fun.”

As the action was unfolding, another player made an appearance, rocking a T-shirt from the previous Mixed Game Festival. He knew Robbie and a few other players at the table, and, as it turned out, he was on a cruise that so happened to stop at Malta during the Festival. Jerry just couldn’t miss the opportunity to come over, say hi, and play some poker.

This is Jerry. He just so happens to be on a Mediterranean cruise this week that stopped in Malta.

Realizing this overlapped with @PokerLifeMedia #MixedGameFestival III, he packed his shirt from MGF II at @ResortsWorldLV ahead of time and decided to come play cash games! pic.twitter.com/BIBi3kqSJw

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) October 27, 2022

Until Next Time!

I left the cash game area around 2 AM. As I was leaving, players were debating starting a second table as a few more people were supposed to arrive. So, although it was late into the night, the last thing anyone was thinking about was quitting. Most players were already discussing potential plans to have an unscheduled Saturday night session, too!

Having felt the atmosphere and after talking to some of them, I can certainly understand why. If you enjoy the game of poker for the fun and challenge of it, you’ll hardly find a better bunch of people to play with. As Martin nicely put it, they want to take each other’s money, but that’s just a small secondary part of the whole experience. It’s about the fun and camaraderie that you just can’t put a price tag on.

About last night #Goodtimes#MixedGameFestival

Until next time pic.twitter.com/UMo8xhCoJI

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) October 28, 2022

Mixed Game Festival III may officially be over, but I have a distinct feeling that considering how well everything went, there will be future festivals to come in Malta, other places in Europe, and other further flung destination as well.

This is also my first visit to Malta, a place that has been on my radar for many years but which I’ve never gotten around to visiting until now. Robbie gave me the push I needed to make the travel arrangements and finally take the plunge.

But, most importantly, it was my first time playing mixed games in a live format. I joined dozens other mixed game fans and enthusiasts in the HORSE event that ended up attracting a total of 59 entries (a few of which were re-entries). Robbie’s expectations were certainly exceeded, and as for me, I had no idea what exactly to expect. But, with the tournament buy-in being just an affordable €230, I decided to give it a go and experience it first-hand. That’s me in seat four, below.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I felt I was lighting my money on fire. Having played poker for long enough (mostly Hold’em and PLO, though), I knew I stood very little chance against people who were clearly no slouches. I busted about one hour after taking my seat, but unlike most tournaments, I didn’t feel bad about it for a change.

The atmosphere at mine and the surrounding tables was very jovial. For most guys (and two ladies who graced us with their presence), it was all about enjoying the game and having fun. Of course, everyone wanted to win, but there was virtually zero tension in the room – and I loved it!

Even the first player to bust (and subsequently re-enter) had a smile on his face…

First to bust in our #MixedGameFestival €230 HORSE tournament… wins @DylanLinde‘s Mastering Mixed Games.

Congratudolences, Simon

Thanks @DBPoker1! pic.twitter.com/wOU1a6m1Sn

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) October 25, 2022

A Lot to Fight For!

By the time registration closed, the tournament clock was showing 59 entries – just one short of the nice, round number, but the turnout still exceeded expectations. After all, it took place on a Tuesday evening in Malta, and this was just the third time in the country’s history that a HORSE tournament was being contested, and the first at this price point!

It all resulted in a very respectable prize pool of about €11,300 to be divided among the top seven finishers, with the winner taking home €4,000 as well as a custom trophy. Plus, the “bubble boy” didn’t go home emptyhanded either.

Our HORSE tournament 8th place bubble finisher, Johan Vermot, gets his €230 buy-in back courtesy of @badbeatclothin

No bad beats at our #MixedGameFestival pic.twitter.com/cG2hXGZWJe

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) October 25, 2022

I would love to be able to tell you more about some exciting hands and crucial moments of the tournament, but that would force me to pretend to know a lot about mixed games. I admit that I was confused a few times, with multi-way split pots and trying to keep track of how many hands of each game had been played. But that’s part of what learning mixed games is all about: broadening your horizons and challenging yourself rather than remaining on autopilot playing “yet another hand” of No Limit Texas Hold’em.

Plus, quite frankly, there was so much positive energy filling the room that I felt an adrenaline rush help carry me throughout my time on the tournament floor.

We’ve been doing “hat bomb pots” at our #MixedGameFestival

Yes, in the middle of our @PokerLifeMedia HORSE tournament

Thanks, @PokerCoaching_ pic.twitter.com/NYcCcvgk03

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) October 25, 2022

From my perspective, the dealers here at Portomaso Casino did an amazing job with very few errors along the way, and some of the more experienced players did their part in keeping things flowing, too. For a small buy-in event, the level of professionalism was certainly beyond my expectations, and yet, once the dealer was done with their down, everyone made sure to thank them, with an occasional fist bump thrown into the mix. Many of the dealers and floor staff also smiled when they got to keep some of the BadBeat clothing bespoke T-shirts Robbie was distributing throughout the event.

There were some bad beats and unexpected twists and turns, as you’d expect in any poker tournament, but no one took it to heart too much.

This tourney smashed it.

Was a bit steep for my bank and skill roll, but something to aspire to!

The field looked great fun, and all the local faces clearly loved it.

LOW STAKES HORSE FTW!!! https://t.co/oGoU98ckQg

— Kat Arnsby (@ThePokerBaffer) October 25, 2022

The Big Finale

The final table of eight was formed just after 1 AM local time, after about six hours of play (plus a few short breaks). By that time, the average stack was at around six big bets, which may seem short, but mixed games are a different beast.

Our @PokerLifeMedia €230 HORSE final table

#MixedGameFestival pic.twitter.com/XlLRjEaygc

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) October 25, 2022

The first elimination came early on, as the official bubble managed to squeeze his spot into the final eight with an extremely short stack. The remaining seven, however, were in no rush. Hands were played, and chips exchanged hands, but the number of players remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, phase two of Mixed Game Festival III began downstairs in the cash game area…

As we approach the final table of our @PokerLifeMedia HORSE tournament, the dealer’s choice cash game shenanigans have begun in earnest!#MixedGameFestival pic.twitter.com/gXHScpV1YI

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) October 25, 2022

Over the next couple of hours, through numerous hands of limit hold’em, Omaha, stud, stud hi/low, and Omaha hi/low, the field eventually whittled down to a heads-up battle between two Frenchmen: Donat Guillaume and Romain Nardin.

Beyond the €4,000 top prize, also at stake was the first place trophy plus a free seat in the €550 Malta Poker Festival Main Event, sponsored by Pokercoaching.com.

Heads up for the @PokerLifeMedia #MixedGameFestival HORSE title at @maltapokerfest

€4,000 for 1st
€2,560 for 2nd

Two Frenchmen: Donat Guillaume vs. Romain Nardin pic.twitter.com/itFVCUGFjW

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) October 26, 2022

Eventually the poker gods chose to shine their light on Nardin, though, as he kept grinding down his compatriot, slowly but surely reducing his stack to dust.

Still, Guillaume’s runner-up finish netted him €2,560 for his troubles. Upon exiting the room he was overheard telling Robbie “My buddies and I flew here for a holiday but specifically for this tournament. I don’t play Hold’em and this is the first time I have ever seen a mixed game tournament for low stakes guys like me on a festival series schedule. It was fantastic!”

For his part, Nardin was a pretty happy camper, too. He told Robbie “I’m from Toulouse, but I moved to Malta a few years ago. I haven’t really played much poker outside of the country over the last few years. I never see HORSE or other mixed game tournaments on series schedules, but when I saw this I knew I had to play. Great job! I really enjoyed it and I’m very happy!”

Congratulations to Romain Nardin!

Winner of the @PokerLifeMedia #MixedGameFestival €230 HORSE tournament, the @maltapokerfest trophy , and a free MPF Main Event seat courtesy of @PokerCoaching_.

The fun continues tomorrow at 2pm with low stakes dealer’s choice cash games. pic.twitter.com/AHGhqJevsP

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) October 26, 2022

Thus concluded the first day of the Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival. Tomorrow and the day after, cash games are the main course, and Robbie will be splashing around and spreading the mixed game gospel ever further, one table at a time. From what I’ve been hearing, the action should be pretty fun, with €4/8 limit games on the menu for all to enjoy. We’ll do our best to keep you up to date in the coming days and try to bring you a taste of the great atmosphere from Malta!

Norman is active on Twitter as @normanchad

We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
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Time Stamps

Here at the Portomaso Casino, they’re fully equipped to handle large crowds with a combination of close to 100 poker tables spread throughout the property. in the main tournament room I counted 45 tables, with another 33 tables laid out in the secondary tournament room. Those get spread for large scale events like these. Throughout the year however a total of 20 tables are set up in the permanent casino area, split evenly between two different rooms.

While, as in most other poker destinations around the world, the main course is No Limit Texas Hold’em, with a side dish of Pot Limit Omaha, Malta also happens to have a thriving, I’ll be it niche, mixed game scene. Anyone who knows me understands that that’s music to my ears!

In my preview piece prior to flying out here, I mentioned that one of the top five things that I was looking forward to was participating in the Malta mixed game meet up. It did not disappoint!

Not All Mixed Games Are Alike

I have played in my fair share of mixed games over the last 20 years, the majority of which have been home games in Israel with the remainder having taken place throughout Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and a couple of other locales in the United States. I even inaugurated the concept of the Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival, the second incarnation of which will be taking place between this summer June 12-16 at Resorts World Las Vegas. So, you’d think that I would be prepared for anything.

Well, the poker scene in Malta had something special up its sleeve – Sviten Special – along with a few other interesting surprises.

Sviten Special vs. Drawmaha

Drawmaha is becoming increasingly popular in mixed game circles, with slight tweaks added occasionally to create even more niche variants like Drawmaha 49, Drawmaha 0, 2-7 Drawmaha, and Drawmadugi (A-4). For those of you who have never played it before, you can find a short primer in our excellent Flop Games Guide, written up by Cardplayer Lifestyle contributor Mike Patrick.

Sviten Special takes Drawmaha and adds a twist: if you choose to only draw one card, the dealer turns it to you face-up, and you have the choice whether to accept it or not. If not, that card is mucked and you’ll get a new (fifth) card face-down. To the uninitiated, that might seem like just a minor detail. Perhaps, but in a game where going after the draw half of the pot is critical, obtaining those occasional few bits of extra information from your opponents could really help guide your decision-making (or mess with it ) later in the hand.

As with all mixed games, the primary prerequisite for players is elasticity and flexibility of the mind. While it took a few hands of practice for me to get used to this new wrinkle that Sviten Special proffered, I quickly felt able to understand its ramifications quite frankly because of my years of mixed game experience.

Much like with a freezing pool of water, some people tiptoe in while others just jump right in, the latter of whom can do so because they’re just far more used to stretching beyond their comfort zone. Or, they just enjoy pain… I’m talking about folks who wouldn’t hesitate to call an abomination of a dealer’s choice game like “watermelon” and smile menacingly as the table endures a full orbit of it… but I digress.

Dinging Players? No Problem. But Dealers, Too?!

As for those other interesting surprises I mentioned earlier? Truthfully, those were significantly less welcome and were significantly harder to get used to.

Firstly, while the rake was a pretty standard 5% of the pot, they take up to €10 shorthanded, and €15 in full ring games (7+ players). For folks like me, far more used to playing poker in the United States, that’s anywhere from 2x-4x the norm. I have of course played poker in Europe before and thus have been subject to this sort of rake, which is unfortunately standard in this part of the world — c’est la vie — but that doesn’t make it any easier when you’re used to being raked for far less. Again, to be clear, to the best of my knowledge these rake levels are on par with European standards, but when you’re used to just $4-$7 leaving each pot it’s quite the mental adjustment to make.

Secondly, dealers here only get to keep half their tips with the remainder going to the casino. That is NOT something I have ever heard of before and quite frankly a policy I have quite the beef with. I’ve played in places where tipping is not permitted (as dealers there are paid high wages), where dealer tips are pooled, and of course where tips are encouraged. I have never played in a place where tips are literally “discouraged” via a venue’s policy. When drink servers get to keep their tips but dealers who work just as hard have to sacrifice half of their tips to the casino – which is already raking €10-€15 per hand – that just doesn’t sit well with me.

Over a decade ago I wrote an article listing the top 10 reasons to tip poker dealers. If tipping isn’t permitted, fine – players can still be friendly, courteous, and kindly thank them for a job well done. But a venue should not allow players to tip only to then turn around and confiscate 50% of those monies from the dealers. Admittedly, when I learned this, I stopped tipping, which is a shame.

I rarely use this platform to level criticism, but when warranted – specifically on behalf of the dealers – some things just must be said publicly. My critique comes from a good place, and any casino with a policy like this ought to immediately consider revising it. You can’t effect positive change without speaking up about it; respectfully, of course.

Taking a VIP Experience on the Chin

I mentioned at the outset that Malta has a thriving, niche mixed game poker scene. What I hadn’t realized was that those who participate in said scene always play their games pot limit. I suppose that’s sensible considering the rake structure, but when coming to visit I was just looking to get a friendly game together with limits at which nobody’s bankroll would suffer too greatly in the event of a loss.

The locals were kind enough to accommodate and we set sail for a highly enjoyable €5/€10 limit dealer’s choice mix. The game lasted a whopping 12 hours, from 6pm until 6am. It was the longest session I had played in quite a while, and every moment of it was super enjoyable.

About last night…

Thanks to everyone who came out to play in the €5/10 Malta #mixedgame Meetup.

What a joy!#maltapokerfestival pic.twitter.com/LGg9R3k5gt

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) April 29, 2022

We played 8-handed (and sometimes a bit shorter) with a revolving cast of characters, as some players checked out while others checked in throughout the session. I was quite flattered as, on multiple occasions throughout the night, I was recognized and approached by people who had heard I was in town and wanted to take part in a mixed game with me.

While I enjoyed everyone’s company immensely, I want to give a special shout out to my longtime friend and poker industry colleague Jason Glatzer, as well as another longtime friend via social media who I finally got to meet in person, Martin Smith, who were instrumental in “rounding up the troops” and making the magical Malta mixed game meet up happen.

Unfortunately, the cards were not as kind to me as the players were, as I recorded a “solid hourly loss” in spite what I felt to be reasonably good play. A couple of those who accompanied me throughout the full length of the mixed game session witnessed it with their own eyes and concurred that unfortunately luck just hadn’t been on my side. But they also were kind enough to send compliments my way about how I kept smiling throughout, despite what ended up being a €545 loss overall.

Lady Luck may not always be in your corner at the poker table, but in my view if you have the privilege of taking a seat in the first place, being surrounded by a group of wonderful friends, and having a lovely time, then life’s good fortune is most certainly smiling upon you.

Conclusion

Losses notwithstanding, I hope it’s clear from my descriptions and the pictures that I absolutely had the time of my life, and I think that everyone else who played at our table throughout the night did, too.

Wouldn’t it just be great if we could run it back and do it all over again?

Ordinarily I’d end off with “a guy can dream, eh?” but Malta is a place where poker dreams can come true quickly, so if anyone’s around tomorrow night and wants to join us, our group will be getting together again to make some more magical Malta mixed game memories.

Buoyed by the success of our first Mixed Game Festival back in October, we’re proud to announce that we’ll be returning to the Entertainment Capital of the World from June 12-16 to run it back for more dealer’s choice awesomeness!

Mixed Game Festival II will feature five straight days of low stakes cash games catering to lovers of all poker variants, from weekend warriors to home game hotshots, and even to grinders and pros just looking to take a bit of a relaxing break from the major tournament series happening around the city.

This time around, we’ll be in a different venue: the fabulous Resorts World Las Vegas, home to the newest poker room in the city!

About Resorts World Las Vegas

Resorts World, a high-end 30-table poker room, has quickly become the #1 go-to destination for mixed games in Las Vegas since the resort opened in June 2021. Each and every one of the dealers at Resorts World is highly proficient in dealing mixed games. The room’s staff, from manager Gary Hager right on down the line to shift managers and other floor personnel, are incredibly welcoming and always deliver a first-class player experience.

Best of all, the room boasts an unbeatable $4 per hand max rake, with that fourth dollar only being taken upon there being $80 in the pot!

We’ll be playing for stakes of $4/8 and $8/16, with higher limits available upon request.

Due to space considerations, players interested in attending the festival are encouraged to register in advance on the bespoke daily interest lists via the Poker Atlas app.

Freebies and Giveaways Galore

In addition to the added value the PokerStars Live Event Package brings to the proceedings, all players will enjoy a number of other festival features including:

• Multiple daily merchandise giveaways courtesy of PokerStars as well as other premium poker industry brands like: Faded Spade Playing Cards, RunGoodGear, Upswing Poker, D&B Poker Publishing, BBO Poker Tables, PokerGO, and more!
• Multiple poker book signings with popular poker pros!
• Discounted hotel room rates (use promo code YYPKR when booking online or call directly 1-833-930-3888).
• More “special stuff” in the pipeline… stay tuned!

Daily Media Coverage

Have you ever wished you could “see your name in lights”?

We’ll be producing daily recaps highlighting all the action during our Mixed Game Festival, and you’ll be able to find them right here on Cardplayerlifestyle.com. We’ll also be covering the festival extensively via social media on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Show up and take part in the festivities, and you could be featured in our coverage, alongside some top poker pros and popular poker personalities who’ve pledged to come and take part in all the fun.

Charity Component

There will also be a nod to charity throughout the Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival, with the non-profit Poker Gives being the designated beneficiary.

The majority portion of any proceeds from book/merchandise sales throughout the Mixed Game Festival will be donated to Poker Gives.

Originally founded by the late Mike Sexton, as well as Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Lisa Tenner, and now run by Lupe Soto and Barbara Zangaro Jones, Poker Gives provides assistance to military families and homeless vets in Las Vegas, as well as to youth programs in the city, supplying toiletries, water, clothing and other various survival items to those in the greatest need.

—

I’m absolutely thrilled to have great partners in PokerStars and Resorts World Las Vegas with whom to host our second Mixed Game Festival. We’ve been working hard to put this special event together, and we’re all dedicated to making this a truly memorable experience.

Having the opportunity to award a PokerStars Live Event Prize Package to one of our participants, as well as tons of other poker-themed merch to so many players and poker enthusiasts brings fantastic value to a promotion targeting live low-stakes players during peak poker season. I promise you all an unforgettable festival where win or lose at the felt, you’ll have a great time and memorable experience. It’s a mixed game player’s dream come true.

See you all in Las Vegas!

About Cardplayer Lifestyle

Founded in 2009, Cardplayerlifestyle.com is dedicated to bringing fans the latest news, interviews, op-eds, and strategy and lifestyle pieces from the world of poker. Our digital poker media outlet publishes some of the most interesting stories the world of poker has to offer, including exclusive features on top poker personalities. We also provide our readers with a plethora of unique strategy pieces and the most up-to-date, comprehensive reviews of popular poker training courses.

Got questions about our Mixed Game Festival? Please contact: [email protected]