Mixed-game poker is having a moment, and OlyBet is bringing a festival to match. The 2026 European Mixed Poker Championship (EMPC) takes place at the Olympic Park Casino in Tallinn, Estonia, from October 26 to 31, with more than ten tournaments, 24/7 cash games and an €800 8-Game Main Event. For players who enjoy more than no-limit hold'em, it is one of the most interesting dates on the autumn calendar.
Here is everything you need to know: the schedule, the games involved, what makes mixed tournaments difficult, and how to prepare if you plan to play.
The festival at a glance
The EMPC is run by OlyBet at the Olympic Park Casino in Tallinn. According to PokerNews, it offers more than ten tournaments with buy-ins starting at €200, cash games running around the clock, and two free social events: a Welcome Dinner on Monday, October 26 at 4 p.m. and a Community Lunch on Thursday, October 29 at noon.
The headline event is the €800 8-Game Main Event, which allows one re-entry per starting flight. The eight games in rotation are:
- No-Limit Hold'em
- Limit Hold'em
- Pot-Limit Omaha
- Omaha Hi-Lo
- Stud
- Stud Hi-Lo
- Razz
- 2-7 Triple Draw
Day 1A starts on Friday, October 30 at 11:30 a.m., Day 1B at 6:30 p.m. the same day, and Day 2 on Saturday, October 31 at 11:30 a.m. Main Event satellites, a €185 H.E.T.R.O.S. format, run on October 29 and 30.
The tournament schedule
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Oct 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Bet Mix (re-buy) | €200 |
| Tue, Oct 27 | Noon | Lowball Draw Mix (6-handed) | €555 |
| Tue, Oct 27 | 6 p.m. | Nordic Special Mix | €300 |
| Wed, Oct 28 | Noon | 20-Game Dealer's Choice | €700 |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 4 p.m. | S.O.R.B.E.T. | €200 |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 8:30 p.m. | T.O.E. Turbo | €800 |
| Thu, Oct 29 | 2 p.m. | S.O.R.B.E.T. High Roller (single re-entry) | €1,500 |
| Thu, Oct 29 | 6 p.m. | Senkel's Paradise Pick'em | €300 |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. | Main Event Day 1A and 1B | €800 |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Noon | 6-Game Mystery Bounty | €300 |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 4:30 p.m. | 6-Game High Roller (single re-entry) | €1,500 |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 6 p.m. | Omaha Dealer's Choice (re-buy) | €200 |
The variety is the point. From a low-priced re-buy to a €1,500 high roller, and from lowball draw to dealer's choice, the schedule is designed to suit a wide range of tastes and bankrolls.
Why mixed games are attracting attention
PokerNews says mixed games are attracting more attention as players look to broaden their skills, and the numbers from this summer's World Series of Poker point the same direction. Poker Industry News reported in June that core hold'em fields were slightly down after a quarter of the WSOP bracelet events, while draw and mixed games were rising. At the same time, WSOP broadcast host Jeff Platt noted that mixed games got too little coverage on the 2026 broadcast and that coverage will increase.
Several things drive the trend. Solver-based study has made no-limit hold'em more standardised, so some players seek out games where deep study is less widespread. Mixed games reward versatility, which appeals to those who like a challenge. And the prestige of a mixed-game title, such as the WSOP's $10,000 events, has grown. Naoya Kihara's back-to-back $10k championship bracelets this year, including the Seven Card Stud title, illustrate the appeal for top talents.
The challenge of mixed tournaments
PokerNews warns that "having weaknesses in the other disciplines can quickly become expensive." That is the central challenge. In an 8-game event, you are only as strong as your weakest game, and opponents will target your gaps. Here is a quick look at what each discipline demands.
Hold'em and Omaha variants. Most players are familiar with these, but limit and pot-limit formats require different betting strategies. In limit hold'em, pot sizes are controlled and implied odds matter; in pot-limit Omaha, equity runs closer, so hand selection and position are crucial. Our Omaha and Hold'em vs Omaha guides explain the fundamentals.
Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo. Split-pot games require you to think about two hands at once. Playing for scoops, getting your money in with the best low draw, and avoiding being quartered are essential skills.
Stud and Razz. These are games of live cards and memory. You must track which cards are exposed, and what that means for your opponents' outs. Razz is a lowball game where you want the lowest hand, and starting-hand selection is paramount.
2-7 Triple Draw. The deuce-to-seven lowball draw game involves three draws and four betting rounds, and starting hands, position, and the number of cards drawn all matter. It is often the game where hold'em specialists struggle most.
How to prepare
If you want to play the EMPC Main Event, preparation is worth the effort.
Learn the rules of each game. Know the structure and the correct way to act. Tournament rulebooks often differ on betting limits, split-pot procedures and the order of action in stud games. Ask the floor if you are unsure.
Study starting hands. For each game, learn a basic chart. Razz, stud, and 2-7 are very sensitive to starting-hand choice.
Practise online. Many sites offer mixed-game cash games and tournaments at low stakes. Practise the games you know least, because those will cost you the most. Our poker strategy hub and poker glossary can help you learn the vocabulary, and our poker hand rankings page covers the standard order, while lowball games use different rankings you should learn separately.
Play satellites. The €185 H.E.T.R.O.S. satellites provide a lower-cost route into the Main Event and a chance to test your skills.
Manage variance. Mixed-game tournaments are slow and tiring. Plan breaks, eat properly, and accept that a bad run in one game can end your tournament. Set a budget using our bankroll management guide.
Stay patient. In mixed events, players often tilt when a game they dislike comes around. Keep your composure, play your best game during your good rounds, and avoid unnecessary risks in your weak ones. Our tilt guide offers useful tips.
What the EMPC means for the industry
OlyBet's festival is part of a broader push to build a European circuit for mixed games. Online operators and live venues are noticing the interest and responding with dedicated series. For players who want to learn, it creates more opportunities to qualify and compete. For the industry, it shows that diversification is a way to attract and retain players when hold'em fields plateau.
There is also a lesson for online players. Mixed games are often available at lower stakes online, though fields are smaller. If you enjoy the challenge, look for rooms with dedicated mixed-game schedules. Our guides to poker networks and tournaments can help you compare, and our cash games vs tournaments article helps you decide where to start.
Bottom line
The 2026 European Mixed Poker Championship is a well-rounded festival with an accessible Main Event, a range of buy-ins and a schedule that rewards versatility. If you are already a mixed-game fan, it is a must-visit. If you are a hold'em player who wants a new challenge, start with the smaller events and the satellites. Either way, spend time learning the games before you sit down. In mixed poker, preparation is the biggest edge.