Alexander Aaneland (Alxbanana): I lived with a couple friends during my studies, who played a lot of online poker, and I started micro-grinding tournaments besides them on Sundays. I randomly joined a couple HORSE tournaments on Full Tilt Poker and quickly had better results than I had in Hold-em and I also had more fun with those. Since my early poker days I’ve mainly focussed on mixed games; then my interest was reignited over Covid and I started meeting more and more nice people in the Norwegian Mixed Community.

Robin Panholzer: I found Mixed Games through Mason Pye (pyefacepoker), who was probably the first person actively promoting and showing off mixed games online for a broader audience. I watched a few of his streams, and then tried them as well, instantly got hooked and never went back from there. I just enjoy the variety. There’s so many different games, and so many different players you’re playing against when you play everything.

Mason Pye (pyefacepoker): I got into Mixed Games through watching Jason Somerville’s streams, and playing in his home games. I enjoy the variety. I have a short-attention span, so playing different variants keeps me focussed ,and are in general more fun. Not to mention, they are very profitable.

Jesper Moes: I first got into mixed games via the homegames of Pye and GJ (Georgina James). Poker for me, in general, is a great way to challenge myself and adapting to all the different mixed games adds an extra layer. Additionally, the people that I know and the stories that I have heard are so welcoming and I would like to be part of that.

Ben Sweetman (Sweems): I used to play a lot of 2-7 Triple Draw on PokerStars; the player pools were very small, so a lot of the time you couldn’t get a game and people would sit out against each other. I ended up jumping onto the 8-game tables just to play the first six hands of 2-7, then “sit-out”. Eventually I found it was just easier to play the full rotation. One day I hope to learn how to play the other seven games.
The variation is what I enjoy most. I like to observe which games certain opponents are stronger or weaker at, then adapting my play to play more/less hands against these players.

Eva Jiretorn (Chic): I got into Mixed Games the first time by accident! I thought I thought I was playing a PLO-Tourney but as it turned out, it was a PLO8-Tourney! I began to learn the game, and liked it better than PLO. The next step was that I played some Dealers Choice Tournament that they had at the casino, and it was a lot of fun! Thereafter I think one of my Mixed Games girlfriends began to play HORSE; I also tried it and realized that I love different games more than Texas Hold’em. I have just loved to learn new games ever since; Mixed Games is my biggest passion! The thing I like most is the variation. Love that there is only one orbit (live) off each game, and then on with it! I also like when there are many cards; and that it feels like I can play more freely, since it is not as studied as Texas. And in the split games there are two pots; which I also like!

Alex Cheng (Tetsu): I have the exact picture of how I got into mixed games. I enjoyed it initially because it was like learning poker strategy all over again, and forcing me to think differently. As I learn more though, I realise the similarities between different poker variants, and I’m starting to link various concepts together that strengthen my skill in all the games.

Mason Pye: What drew me to the EMGC was the fact there were no Hold’em events whatsoever. Usually poker festivals mould around Hold’em events and then fit Mixed Games events in wherever seems best. However, with the EMGC, it’s just 5 days of Mixed Games fun. Also, EXTREMELY friendly buy-ins.

Niclas Thumm: Knowing that my friends will be there! I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone while playing my favourite poker variants.

Ben Sweetman: I was tipped off by Jen Mason, she sent through the tournament schedule and it seemed right up my street. I’d already decided I wanted to travel more for poker that year and Bratislava was definitely on the list, so the trip was a no Brainer really.

Jesper Moes: For me this will be a combination of meeting and hanging out with friends. As well as a learning process. I have never played mixed games live, and hardly any live poker. So to be able to learn from such a great community, for a very reasonable buy-in is great.

Alex Cheng: Tobias Leknes for BBZPoker (Alex’ ongoing joke about the way Tobias present himself in the BBZ bundle) drew me to the EMPC, but also the opportunity to play live mixed games, which you don’t get too often.

Robin Panholzer: Just my love for Mixed games really. I heard there was a live poker series running with JUST mixed games running, and I just knew I had to compete. Especially since I knew I was going to be competing with arguably the best players in the world.

Alexander Aaneland: Playing live Mixed Games is great. There is always a good atmosphere around the tables, so going to the mixed championship was and is high on my priorities for vacations when timing allows it at work. Having a dedicated Mixed Games live series like this is just awesome, and it’s a good arena to meet many friendly people from the community.

Eva Jiretorn: ALL OF THEM!!! So many fab events in one tourney schedule. Hi-Lo-Mix is fab since I like the split games and I feel very comfortable in these. The 6-Game Mystery Bounty sounds great since it is an extra spice with Mystery Bounties. HETROS is yummy since one of my favourite games is 2-7 triple draw and it’s added to a regular HORSE. And then 10-Game – woohoo! The more the merrier right!

Mason Pye: Besides the Main Event, it has to be the 6-game mystery bounty. I had a taster of a Mixed Games mystery bounty event at Cabin Poker. It’s just unchartered territory for a poker event and should be a good sweat in the end when the bounties are revealed and opened.

Alexander Aaneland: I’m looking forward to all the events that I’ll be there for; if I have to choose one, I suppose the HETROS Tournament would be my favourite.

Alex Cheng: Most people will probably say this but the 8 game, as I’ve decided to eschew studying other mixed games and focusing on the ones in there.

Robin Panholzer: A must play event for me is the Dealers Choice since I won it last edition and I would like to defend that title. I’m very proud of that one specifically since it proved to me that I’m a very well-rounded poker player since you need to be good at so many different games. I’m most excited about the 6-max Mystery Bounty though. That one I assume will be very chaotic but also very fun.

Jesper Moes: The 10-game would be the ultimate test to learn and put everything to the test I learned during the week. However Im definitely most excited about the 6-game mystery bounty. Amazing concept and great games.

Ben Sweetman: Mixed Lowball Draw; I love the lowball draw games and have only just started studying Badugi/Baducey/Badacey. So this event is perfect.

Mason Pye: I’m looking forward to seeing everyone within the community. It’s always the thing I love most about poker trips. This combined with 10 Euro buckets of beer means it will always be a great a time.

Ben Sweetman: Playing card games that I love at the same time as spending time with a really friendly part of the poker community. The Mixed games crowd are very welcoming and lots of fun.

Niclas Thumm: To have a really good time at the event with all my friends, discuss hands and maybe improve my skills in some variants that I have barely played.

Eva Jiretorn: What I most look forward to is a week full of Mixed Games and fun times with friends – old and new ones! And it is extra exciting to play with many Norwegians since they are real fab at Mixed Games. To getter better it is important to play against the best! And I hope that there will be a lot of women too; it’s more fun with a mix of different people in all ages and genders.

Robin Panholzer: I’m most excited about meeting everyone again. I just love the community and being a part of it.

Mason Pye: I was always going to come back no matter what. Poker-wise we had a profitable trip with a deep run in the Main Event, actually maybe breakeven after all the beers that were consumed. Last year was the inaugural EMGC, and with little marketing and promotion there was a good turn-out. This time round, I’m expecting it to be much bigger with more familiar faces.

Robin Panholzer: I had an amazing time last time. Everything was great. The venue was great, the food was great, the people were great, the games were amazing…! how could I NOT come back?!

Ben Sweetman: I think I played every event except the Mixed Hi/Lo event last year. Each one had a great structure and lots of play. The venue, atmosphere, players, dealers, and TDs were all top tier.