8 poker players eye mixed-game HORSE title, $1.28M prize at World Series of Poker

8 World Series of Poker players eye HORSE title

LAS VEGAS — Eight poker players plan to settle the H.O.R.S.E. title at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas for mixed-game glory and a $1.28 million prize.

Final table play was expected to start Tuesday at the tournament many consider the series’ most prestigious behind its no-limit Texas Hold ‘em main event.

The eight players remaining include five players who have won series tournaments before. They include Russian professional Vitaly Lunkin, who won $1.9 million earlier this month in a $40,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament.

The $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. tournament rotates five games and tests the all-around player more than no-limit Hold ‘em, the most popular variation of poker.

Scotty Nguyen won nearly $2 million and the H.O.R.S.E. title last year.