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Please find the answers from Ken below:
Yoshimitsu77: I'm somewhat of a beginner to mixed game poker. Would you say it's best to learn and work on individual games and slowly build towards playing full mixed game poker or to learn and play all the games together?
I’ve found that certain players are very keen, preferring to jump into things quickly and learn multiple games at once. Now, it would be impractical to try to learn ALL the popular non-NLHE games simultaneously, as there are so many of them; however, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to start learning and playing a select group of them.
I’ve found that players who have had at least some exposure to Seven Card Stud, for example, are usually open to initially learning the H.O.R.S.E. games (Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Eight-or-Better) as a group. After some practice, they quickly recognize what their weaker games are in that mix, and then spend more time working on those. After that, once they feel comfortable with the H.O.R.S.E. games, they usually proceed to add other games to their repertoire (e.g. draw games).
On the other hand, there are many players who would feel overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of having to learn more than one game at a time. These players seem to fare better by selecting one new game first, and practicing that game until they feel fairly competent in it, before attempting to learn another. I find many poker novices with only NLHE experience usually fall into this category of players.
I don’t think there’s one right answer as it really depends on the individual. The important thing is to avoid procrastination and start your study of new games sooner rather than later, whether you decide to learn multiple games at once or one game at a time.
grbell: To make the first step in this journey which of the other games would you recommend to a NLHE player that would help them start in a good way psychologically?
kidzoltan: As a beginner, which mixed game do you recommend to start playing?
kmagott: If I've got experience in most popular games NLHE, PLO which game (probably) will be easiest and which one will be hardest to learn?
Let’s say you’re ready to take the plunge into mixed games, but want to select only one to start with: which one should you choose? If you wanted to start with a game that was not too different from NLHE, then Limit Hold’em (which is still played in most popular mixes) would be an obvious choice; you would need to make some adjustments due to the difference in betting structure, but the game would otherwise seem very familiar.
However, one of the reasons many players take up mixed games in the first place is because they want more variety; frankly, I suspect these players would find Limit Hold’em boring. If I had to suggest a fun and more interesting game to start with, I’d be inclined to choose Limit Omaha Hi/Lo. This game is played in most multi-game mixes. It is also the most popular variant today after NLHE and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO).
Limit Omaha Hi/Lo is not as volatile as PLO; this allows newcomers to ease into learning an Omaha-style game more gently. Also, since Omaha Hi/Lo uses community cards (e.g. flop, turn, river) as does NLHE, the game will not feel completely foreign. That said, with the additional hole cards and restrictions on how many must be used to form a hand, the “split-pot” nature of the game, and the difference in betting structure, Omaha Hi/Lo requires a different approach compared to NLHE and that is what must be learned. In fact, many low-limit Omaha Hi/Lo games (and some even at higher limits!) are replete with players who lack a decent understanding of even basic strategy; competent players will surely have a significant edge in these potentially highly profitable games.
Here’s another approach: just pick one game that you’ve heard of and that sounds most interesting to you. Then, take the time to study and read as much as you can about it, and fit in some practice where possible. You might find some of the newer hybrid games more difficult to learn since they are so different from NLHE (e.g. Badeucy, Razzdugi, etc.), or you might find Stud-type games challenging (e.g. Razz, Stud, Stud Hi/Lo) if you haven’t had any experience with Stud games. Nevertheless, if you’re curious about a game, you’re likely going to be more motivated to become better at it, so I’d say – just pick one and go for it!
LivevsOnline: I'd like to know what the core problems are when passing from NLHE to a mixed game. I mean there must be some key struggling points that most NLHE reg's face when they approach mixed games for the first time.
The basic rules of a new game are typically relatively easy to learn; realizing what adjustments are required is significantly more difficult. In my view, the biggest challenge faced by many NLHE players taking up a new game is learning the game well enough to appreciate what constitutes a “good” and “bad” hand in different situations.
For example, NLHE players often treat flopped sets and straights as very strong holdings. However, in Omaha variants, it is possible to flop the nuts and still be an underdog to win. I see NLHE players routinely overvaluing sets and two pair hands, and open-ended straight draws, for example, when playing Omaha variants.
As a further example, some NLHE players routinely overvalue made high hands in split-pot games (e.g. ones where half of the pot is awarded to the best high hand while the other half is awarded to the best qualifying low hand). For instance, in a game of Stud Hi/Lo, I might see a NLHE player who appears to hold three of a kind or two big pair engage in an all-out raising war against a sole opponent who looks to have already made a qualifying low hand; in this situation, the opponent holding the low hand has a risk-free opportunity to win the whole pot. The player holding the high hand, even though the hand may be a strong NLHE hand, ought to be playing more cautiously in these scenarios.
Also, I see NLHE players often struggle to grasp what constitutes a strong or weak starting hand, particularly for games that do not use standard high hand rankings. For example, a T-high starting hand in 2-7 Triple Draw is quite marginal and in many situations, it would be correct to “break” the hand by discarding at least one card to draw to a better hand; in contrast, the same starting hand in 2-7 Single Draw would represent a much stronger hand, relatively speaking, and should not typically be broken.
A combination of study and practice is the best way for newcomers to a given game to learn what constitutes “good” or “bad” hands in various situations.
jonnyZ: What are the biggest motives to transfer from playing NLHE to a variety of mixed games?
grbell: As a current NLHE player, what effect do you think introducing the new mixed games into my repertoire would have on my NLHE skills? Could it be detrimental or do you think it might sharpen my skills?
PerusJamppa: Why should players try to learn many different games?
pertia125: How important it is for anyone who wants to mature faster as a player, to play as many different forms of poker as possible, and do you think that by doing so, that player will also gain the better understanding for their main games (for most NLHE and PLO)?
Here are some common reasons why players with NLHE backgrounds have recently taken to learning mixed games:
• “I’m bored with NLHE. I need a break from NLHE. Learning new games is FUN!”
• “The average skill level in these other games seems much like the average skill level of NLHE players before the poker boom. NLHE has gotten a lot tougher. I don’t find these other games nearly as tough.”
• “I’m just an average NLHE player, but I’ve found a new niche and much greater success after learning these other games, which has boosted my confidence.”
• “I love being able to walk into a cardroom and selecting the juiciest-looking game, or the game with no list, even when the table is not playing NLHE. The flexibility can really pay off.”
• “Playing other games helps me a lot with my NLHE game. For example, the draw games always help to remind me just how powerful position is, and when I play Limit Hold’em, I’m reminded how difficult it is for players to flop strong hands and how I need to play more aggressively in NLHE.”
• “I want to be a better all-around player. I notice that many of the top players in Player of the Year races and Fantasy Poker contests are excellent players not only in NLHE, but in multiple, non-NLHE games as well. That’s where I eventually want to be.”
kmagott: How would you describe popularity of different kinds of mixed games in live poker?
ClerkenwellBoi: Do you believe that Hold'em will continue to be the dominant form of poker in years to come? Or do you think that it's possible other forms of the game could gain in wider popularity? If so, what is the likely contender for the next big thing?
I think it’s unlikely that NLHE will ever die out in popularity, simply given the sheer numbers of players today. However, it does appear that the growth of NLHE is levelling out.
There was a time that many predicted Pot Limit Omaha was going to be the next big thing; although there has been significant growth in this game, it has not grown to the degree that many had originally predicted.
Players seem to be eager for greater variety, and I’m convinced the next poker boom may well be in the area of mixed games. I don’t think I’m alone in this regard: leading industry players such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the European Poker Tour (EPT) have recently made commitments to host a broader mix of non-NLHE offerings in their events. In particular, the EPT is hosting non-NLHE championships at every tour stop, and the WSOP has adopted a two-tiered series (a $10K championship event accompanied by a lower buy-in event) of non-NLHE events.
Also, this year’s “Dealer’s Choice” event at the WSOP was, by all accounts, a smashing success. I think we can expect this type of event to grow in popularity within the tournament poker scene.
ozziwar: I have played a lot of 8-game before and I love the mix. I wonder in your opinion which game that people have the biggest leaks in and are easy to exploit?
kidzoltan: Which one of the mixed game do you think it's the most profitable right now?
badgerer: Which variants do you feel are the most profitable in a mixed game setting for a well rounded player and do you think we should work harder at improving our skill in these games compared to others?
Within a mixed game setting, I feel there are relatively few players who are consistently strong in all games. This is not at all surprising; common mixes typically include a variety of draw games, stud games, split-pot games, fixed limit and big bet games, games utilizing different hand ranking systems, etc. Understandably, it’s a challenge to become good at all the games.
In my opinion, the best mixed game players will have an excellent understanding of the differences between the various game types, and are able to easily adapt when faced with a new variant that they might not have encountered before. Consistency is a worthwhile objective – as an analogy, you can be an excellent triathlete even if you’re not the best swimmer, runner, or cyclist; you can be an excellent decathlete even you’re not a specialist in any one particular event.
When I play, I often encounter two common types of players with exploitable tendencies: the first is the NLH or PLO specialist who tends to be very aggressive in the big bet games, but may lack discipline or understanding of hand values in fixed limit games. They may also have weak board-reading skills in Stud-type games. The second is the mixed game specialist who tends to be overly cautious when playing the big bet games; they might fold too often to aggression and be less apt to defend, even against blatantly obvious steal attempts. The tendencies of either of these types of opponents can be exploited if you are able to recognize these players and adjust your own play accordingly. Playing to your strengths while attacking your opponent’s weaknesses is key.
As for specific games, I’ve observed that many newcomers to mixed games struggle with basic split-pot concepts, making mistakes in games such as Stud Hi/Lo. You may also encounter weaker opposition when playing draw games, especially variants such as Badugi and Badeucy given that these games are still relatively new.
kmagott: How would you describe differences between mixed games tournaments and cash games? What kind of adjustments you should make to play cash game? Do you recommend to start from playing cash or tournaments?
It’s difficult to generalize, but I’d say that in many cases, the play in cash games (especially at lower limits) tend to be looser, and since many of the games in a mix follow a fixed limit betting structure, you can expect showdowns to be a common occurrence. This means that it is important to judiciously select starting hands, and to proceed with hands that have a good chance of winning at showdown, rather than relying on pure aggression to win pots. The early stages of tournaments may bear a resemblance to cash game play in this regard.
However, in tournaments, as the blinds get bigger play often gets tighter. This might mean, for example, that you can expect steals to succeed with greater frequency. Adjusting your play based on relative stack sizes becomes increasingly important. You might say that this is not much different from NLHE tournaments as compared to NLHE cash games, and I would tend to agree.
Whether you choose to start playing cash games or tournaments is largely a matter of personal preference. Some players prefer tournaments because the buy-in (and the potential loss) is fixed, and because the ultimate goal (i.e. to win the tournament) provides a clear and desirable incentive. On the other hand, others may prefer playing cash games, feeling that it is easier to make a profit. They may also feel that there is less need to gamble with marginal hands, as they might feel obliged to do in later stages of a tournament.
That said, I should note that currently, at least in live play, many cash games where a mix of games is played are high-limit games. It is not uncommon for these games to run starting at limits of $15/$30, $20/$40, and higher. I would definitely NOT recommend someone who is starting out in mixed games to experiment at these stakes. In the absence of other options, a low buy-in tournament would be a better (and less costly) way to gain practice.
SWScuracao: mine is a 2-7 question: situation: you have a really good hand (like 2-4-7 or 2-3-7)- what should be the size of the pot before you can draw 2 cards OOP against villain who's only drawn 1 or stood pat?
I’m not sure I understand the question fully… Are we talking about Triple Draw or Single Draw? If Single Draw, and you are out of position, how do you know how many cards your opponent has drawn? Unfortunately, when your opponent has position on you, you have to call and then decide how many cards to draw before seeing how many cards your opponent will draw. You are at a disadvantage, and if your opponent sees you drawing two cards with only one draw remaining, he may even choose to stand pat with weaker holdings when he might have otherwise been inclined to draw one, since he will know it is very difficult for you to improve to a strong hand after drawing two cards.
If you are merely anticipating that your opponent will only draw 1 or stand pat, whether you have the odds to continue will depend on the range of hands your opponent is likely to hold (e.g. the answer will be different if you expect your opponent will only draw one card to an eight or a nine, than if your opponent routinely draws one card to Jacks or Queens), the size of the raise faced and the dead money in the pot, whether your opponent is likely to continue to bet if you check, or to call if you lead out with a bet after drawing, etc.
I would need more information to answer this question completely, but I can say this much as a starting point to any analysis: if you decide to draw two cards, expect to FAIL to improve to a T-high or better hand about three-quarters of the time. In other words, expect to “miss” often.
VorpalF2F: How do we estimate equities in Stud-like games? Example, you hold KK in the hole, aggro villain has QQ showing. Where do we stand?
When it comes to analyzing equities, I prefer to do “homework” away from the table, and use a simulator to compare different types of hand match-ups. There are some excellent, publicly available simulators than can calculate hot-and-cold equities between various Stud hands.
If I understand your question correctly, you hold K-K-x and you are putting your opponent on Q-Q-x. In this match-up, your hand will roughly be a 3-2 favourite. Note that in NLHE, K-K would be a much greater pre-flop favourite over Q-Q (roughly 4-1).
The reason for this discrepancy may be obvious: the difference arises primarily because, in Stud, it is possible for the hand with Q-Q to overtake K-K by improving to two pair while the K-K hand fails to further improve. In contrast, in NLHE, which is a game that uses community cards, the board is most likely to improve (or fail to improve) all hands equally. This means there are relatively few board combinations that would allow only the Q-Q hand but not the K-K hand to significantly improve.
Razorheart: Which street in stud games do you think is most important (where people make the biggest mistakes)?
The answer will obviously depend on the skill level of your competition. However, in general, I would consider third street the most important street – poor starting hand selection, particularly calling with weak hands when opponents have already entered the pot and are expected to have strong starting hands, is a common leak.
Many mistakes are also often made on fifth street, where the bets are doubled. Sometimes, players will not fold often enough on this street, and subsequently get sucked into calling further bets at the high limit with a marginal hand or draw that is highly unlikely to emerge as a winner; at other times, players may be folding too often in fear of losing bets at the high limit, allowing more aggressive and bluff-prone players to steal pots easily.
pertla125: Since most of the games that are a part of 8-game and 10-game mixes are mathematically more sophisticated than NLHE, how important it is to actually know all the hand vs. hand or street by street equity breakdowns minutely in each game, and from your experience how much do other established pros who play all the above stated games well, rely on a pure math when playing these games and how much on their feel, intuition, experience and pattern remembering?
I think if you were to ask some of the bracelet winners of the 8-game and 10-game mixes at the WSOP over the last several years, they might say it’s not that important [to know all the street-by-street equities] at all! In fact, there are many players who claim they had never played some of the variants of these mixes before their event (or they only learned the rules just minutes before), and yet they still ultimately emerged victorious!
Skilled NLHE and PLO players may have developed other useful skills that are directly transferable to mixed games played in a tournament setting. These skills may relate to pot control, managing stacks through different tournament stages, well-timed aggression, positional plays, and so on. In my opinion, tournament poker skills are of much greater value than in-depth math skills relating to the individual games, when it comes to mixed games played within a tournament setting; in cash games, the in-depth math knowledge is probably more valuable.
Note also that many of the games in popular mixes are governed by a fixed limit betting structure; thus, calling when it would have been mathematically correct to fold is typically a smaller mistake compared to similar situations in a big bet game.
Players who are ready to take on advanced treatment of the various games would certainly be well-served by exploring the “math” in greater detail (e.g. try performing simulations of matchups in different situations and analyzing the results); however, a solid grounding in the fundamentals should be sufficient for most players starting out in mixed games.
sabo999: Do you find when travelling and playing Mixed Games that certain nationalities are better than others? Do you prefer 8-game mix or HORSE? Would you agree that 8-game mix has replaced, if not made redundant, HORSE, and if so why?
I don’t find any particular nationality of players to be stronger than others. I personally prefer 8-game over H.O.R.S.E., 10-game over 8-game, 12 or 13 games over 10-game, and Dealer’s Choice… For me, the more games the merrier!
I think that H.O.R.S.E. will always attract a decent following, as there will continue to be players who have not yet “graduated” to 8-game or 10-game by learning the other games. Also, the fact that all games of the H.O.R.S.E. mix follow a fixed limit betting structure remains a selling point to many players who prefer to stay away from the big bet games such as NLHE and PLO, which tend to be relatively more volatile.
Thanks for all the great questions!
Congratulations to all winners, enjoy your prize! ♠_cool:
And a big thank you to Ken for sparing his time! 
Congratz!!! 
♥!Finnish Corner!♥
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"Salute, mi familia"
I totally missed this post when it was made and was just doing a search to see if there had been any reply to the questions we posted. What brilliant answers to our questions. A belated thanks for the time spent on it. Although I wasn't a luck winner a wee pressie for my 50th on Monday is in order I think.