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Best Mixed Game Players In Poker
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In this article, we will take a look at the best mixed game players in the poker circuit.
Poker is a game of adaptation, skill, and creativity, and nowhere is that more evident than in mixed games. Unlike No-Limit Hold’em (NLH), where specialists thrive, mixed games require players to master multiple variants, from Omaha and Stud to Razz and 2-7 Triple Draw.
Only the best can dominate across all formats, and today, we are counting down the top five mixed game players of all time. These players have crushed the toughest competition, from legendary cash games to the highest-stakes tournaments in the world.
Phil Ivey
When it comes to mixed games, few can match the dominance of Phil Ivey. While he is widely regarded as one of the best NLH players ever, his prowess extends far beyond just one format.
Ivey captured his first WSOP bracelet in 2000 in a $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event, but he did not stop there. Over the years, he has collected bracelets in Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, 2-7 Triple Draw, and other mixed formats.
A regular at the legendary high-stakes cash games in Bobby’s Room, Ivey has battled the best in the world for decades. His ability to adapt and master any poker variant solidifies his place as one of the greatest mixed game players of all time.
Matthew Ashton
Matthew Ashton may not be the most talked-about name in poker, but those who know, know. The Liverpool native has quietly built an impressive résumé, specialising in mixed games and securing a victory in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC).
Despite preferring cash games over tournaments, Ashton has amassed over $3 million in live earnings, mostly from mixed game events.
His online success is equally impressive, with multiple COOP titles and a famous H.O.R.S.E. heads-up victory against Phil Ivey in 2015. A true mixed game master, Ashton remains one of the most underrated poker minds.
Mikael Thuritz
Mikael Thuritz has never been one to chase tournament glory, but his reputation in the high-stakes cash game scene is legendary.
A feared 8-game specialist, Thuritz dominated online and live cash games for years, including the exclusive Macau nosebleeds of the mid-2010s.
Playing under the aliases "ChaoRen160" and "Punting-Peddler," he made a killing on Full Tilt Poker and various untracked European sites.
He has gone head-to-head with some of the best in the world, including Dan Cates aka ‘Jungleman’ and Timofey ‘Trueteller’ Kuznetsov, proving time and time again that he belongs among the greats.
While his current whereabouts remain a mystery, his legacy as a top-tier mixed game player remains intact.
Dan Cates
Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates is a force of nature at the poker table. Known for his unorthodox and unpredictable playstyle, Cates has crushed in every format he has touched. While he first made his name in NLH, his mixed game credentials are just as impressive.
The only player to win back-to-back Poker Players Championship titles, ‘Jungleman’ has faced—and beaten—the best in Bobby’s Room and online.
His ability to think outside the box and find edges where others don’t, make him one of the most dangerous mixed game players in the world.
Whether it is heads-up, full ring, cash, or tournaments, Cates brings the heat every time.
Timofey Kuznetsov
Timofey "Trueteller" Kuznetsov is one of the most feared poker players of the modern era. While initially known for his NLH exploits, Kuznetsov quickly transitioned into mixed games and made an immediate impact.
His introduction to Bobby’s Room was not smooth—he was a losing player at first—but his rapid improvement was nothing short of astonishing. In a short period, he went from getting outplayed to being one of the best in the game.
Timofey "Trueteller" Kuznetsov is one of the most feared poker players of the modern era. While initially known for his NLH exploits, Kuznetsov quickly transitioned into mixed games and made an immediate impact.
His introduction to Bobby’s Room was not smooth—he was a losing player at first—but his rapid improvement was nothing short of astonishing. In a short period, he went from getting outplayed to being one of the best in the game.
He even defeated Phil Ivey in a heads-up mixed game after learning the format by practicing on his phone with friends. If that does not speak of his raw talent, nothing does.
Mixed Game Talent
As the modern poker landscape grows more global and competitive, mixed games continue to represent the highest standard of technical ability, endurance, and adaptability.
Unlike formats that reward specialization, mixed games demand a complete command of the game—from fixed-limit Stud to 2-7 Triple Draw and beyond.
Players who excel across multiple variants are students of evolving strategy, game theory, and format-specific nuance. Whether it’s in long-running cash games in Bobby’s Room or deep WSOP final tables, their skillsets are tested under the most complex conditions poker has to offer.
As new formats emerge and tournament series expand their mixed game offerings, these mixed game players set the benchmark for what it means to be truly versatile in poker.
FAQs
What are mixed games in poker?
Mixed games are poker formats where multiple variants are played in rotation, such as H.O.R.S.E., Triple Stud, Triple Draw, etc.
Who is considered the best mixed game poker player?
Phil Ivey is widely considered one of the best all-around mixed game players, with WSOP bracelets in formats like Stud, Omaha, and 2-7 Triple Draw.
What is the $50K Poker Players Championship?
The $50,000 Poker Players Championship is a WSOP event featuring multiple poker variants. It is regarded as the most prestigious mixed game tournament in the world.
Which formats are included in 8-Game Mix?
8-Game Mix typically includes Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and 2-7 Triple Draw.
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