In the last five years, mixed games have grown in popularity by leaps and bounds.  Thanks largely in part to the World Series of Poker and PokerStars app both devoting a lot of resources to mixed games, games that dwindled in popularity following Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP win now have begun to develop a strong following.  Some of you may be wondering whether mixed games are for you.  Here are some reasons why you should consider taking up other forms of poker like Stud and Omaha.

First, mixed games are a great way to gain a huge advantage over other players.  Starting in 2003, most players turned their attention almost exclusively to Texas Hold’em and practically abandoned other forms of poker with maybe the exception of Omaha.  Games like Stud, Razz, Triple Draw, and others dwindled until about 2006.  Now that players are beginning to come back, they do not have the experience to flourish right away.  Also, the training materials are not out there for mixed games like they are for Hold’em players.  As a result, players will not be improving nearly as fast as Hold’em players.  If you become proficient in these games, you will have a huge advantage over other players.

This advantage also lends itself to tournament play.  It is no secret that mixed games and non-Hold’em games are the primary reason that pros have reasserted their dominance on the poker world.  They either already knew the games or turned their focus on them due to the smaller field.  A seven card stud event has a much smaller field than any random Texas Hold’em event, especially at the World Series of Poker.

Next, mixed games usually give math wizards and tighter players an advantage more than Texas Hold’em does.  Since the games are mostly limit poker, players that rely on stats and a solid game plan to succeed usually do much better in mixed games than in Hold’em.  They can manipulate the math in their favor and play a much more generic straight forward form of poker that is steadily profitable and not nearly as swingy as NL or PL poker can be.

Lastly, mixed game poker is a welcome change of pace of Texas Hold’em.  As many Hold’em players will tell you, the game can get somewhat boring and monotonous after a while.  That is one reason that when pros have cash games, they usually play something other than NL Hold’em.

Real money online poker mixed games have gathered a large following and much of that has spilled over into the live arena.  As players continue to learn the value of these games, more will flock to them in order to gain an advantage over other players and grow their bankrolls.  If you have never taken up mixed games, now is a great time to start.  Poker is always evolving and soon mixed games may be the true bread and butter for many professional poker players.