By John Reger
Inspin.com Contributing Writer

It is one of the most interesting of the poker games played at the World Series of poker, and the bracelet is almost as coveted as the main event.

The game of HORSE is unlike any event because of the high buy-in and the unique format.

What makes the game so intriguing is that several of the top poker players in the world believe it is the true indicator as to whom is the best player in the world.

The main event has produced four winners in as many years who were not really well known in the world of poker. While they have had moderate success since their victories in the main event, they by no means have become dominant players.

But with an expected 6,000 entries in the main event, it has almost become a lottery of sorts. You still have to play good poker to win, but the element of luck factors into it much more than it did when Stu Ungar and Doyle Brunson were dominating the event.

The decision to institute a HORSE game this year by WSOP commissioner Jeffrey Pollack came after hearing complaints about the main event and the multitude of Hold ’Em games in the rotation.

“We've heard from a number of players that a high buy-in event will enhance the World Series of Poker,” Pollack said. “We agree, and this schedule addition is an example of how we are innovating to build on the tradition and heritage of the tournament. This summer, one player will make poker history and win the first-ever World Series of Poker bracelet for a $50,000 event.”

With the HORSE event there were only 143 entrants willing to pay the hefty $50,000 entry fee, $40,000 more than the entry fee for the main event. There were no satellite tournaments to get in, like when Chris Moneymaker did it in the 2004 main event and eventually won.

“I think whoever wins will have much more of a claim to be considered the world champion than the winner of the main event,” Las Vegas professional gambler Andy Bloch told the Las Vegas Sun. “Of course, the exception would be if a well-known pro wins the main event, then they would have a large claim to the title as well.”

Another reason this might be considered a more legitimate representation of one’s skills is there are multiple games being played. HORSE is an acronym for Hold ’Em, Omaha, Razz, Stud and Eight or better stud.

HORSE works on a rotating basis. A game is played for 40 minutes and then changed until the final table, when No Limit Hold ’Em is played until a winner is crowned.

Brunson told the Sun he is a purist and the format should stay intact.

“I would like to see them keep playing the same games they were playing, even at the final table,” Brunson said. “Obviously they're doing it for TV, but I don't think it's fair.”

Since it is the first year for the event, changes could absolutely be made. This event is definitely up for tinkering.

But if this year’s HORSE was any indication of the event’s chances of survival, it should be around for many years.

David “Chip” Reese won the contest in a more than seven-hour heads up battle with Bloch.

The final table was as impressive as any at the main event: Reese, Brunson Bloch, Phil Ivey, Jim Bechtel, David Singer, Dewey Tomko, T.J. Cloutier and Patrik Antonius.

This event will be back next year for sure and could become more popular than the main event.