US online poker players who love mixed games may soon have a home. PokerStars on FanDuel is preparing to launch mixed games, beginning with 8-Game, according to Pokerfuse. The rollout could come as soon as September or October 2026, and it would make the operator the only one in the regulated US online poker market to offer mixed games. Following the 8-Game launch, H.O.R.S.E., Stud, and Razz are expected to arrive.
What Is Coming
Pokerfuse reports that mixed games have been absent for roughly five months, since PokerStars moved onto the FanDuel platform earlier in 2026. The first format will be 8-Game, a rotation of eight variants that typically covers limit and pot-limit formats such as Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, and others. The other games listed for later launch are H.O.R.S.E., Stud, and Razz.
The timing coincides with the September Dynasty Series, which runs September 12-28 with $3.5 million in guarantees across 100 US tournaments, including a $300 Main Event with a $350,000 guarantee. That series is aimed squarely at tournament players, but the mixed-game news is directed at a different audience: the smaller but passionate group who prefer variety to No-Limit Hold'em.
Why This Would Be a First
The regulated US online poker market is small, roughly $100 million in annual revenue by PokerScout's estimate, and its game selection is narrower than the international market. Pokerfuse says that once the launch happens, PokerStars on FanDuel would be the only regulated US operator offering mixed games. That gives it a niche advantage over competitors such as BetMGM, WSOP, and BetRivers.
The reason for the delay appears to be regulatory rather than technical. The underlying Playtech iPoker platform already supports mixed-game rotations and offers them on its international network, so the software is not the obstacle. Approvals from state regulators, which oversee each new game type, are likely the gating factor, although the article does not specify which approvals remain outstanding.
The Market Context
To see why mixed games matter, look at the state of the US market. According to PokerScout, three operators were locked in a tight race in July 2026: BetMGM with a 31% share, WSOP at 30%, and FanDuel Poker at 29%. That is an unusually even split. When market share is this close, features that attract a loyal audience can matter more than promotions alone.
Mixed games also intersect with a live-poker trend. Pokerfuse notes that the European Poker Tour has expanded non-Hold'em tournaments and that the 2026 WSOP saw larger fields for variant games. Players who watch or take part in mixed-game bracelet events often want to practice online, and until now the regulated US market has not offered that option at PokerStars.
What Is 8-Game?
8-Game is a mixed format that rotates through eight poker variants in a set order. The exact lineup can vary by site, and PokerStars has not, in the reporting we reviewed, published the game list for the FanDuel launch. Broadly, players need to be comfortable with:
- Flop games, such as Hold'em and Omaha variants
- Stud games, such as Seven Card Stud and Stud Hi-Lo
- Draw or lowball games, depending on the rotation
- Fixed-limit and pot-limit betting structures
The skill requirement is high because you must switch strategies every orbit or hand. Mistakes that would be minor in a single game become costly when you misjudge a rule or a hand ranking in an unfamiliar variant.
What This Means for Players
If you are already a mixed-game specialist, the news is straightforward: an additional regulated venue may be coming. If you are curious about mixed games, the launch could be a low-stakes way to learn. Here is how to prepare.
1. Learn the hand rankings for each game. Low hands, split pots, and different ranking systems can trip up newcomers. Our poker hand rankings guide covers standard ranks, and you can compare with Hold'em and Omaha fundamentals.
2. Start with small stakes. Mixed games reward experience. Begin at the lowest limits and treat early sessions as study. Our bankroll management guide will help you size your bankroll for the higher variance of unfamiliar games.
3. Study equity in each variant. Pre-flop and flop equities differ across games, so intuition from Hold'em may not apply. Our explainers on equity and pot odds are useful for building a foundation, and our poker odds calculator can help with Hold'em and Omaha calculations.
4. Keep track of rules that change by game. Fixed-limit games have bet caps and raise limits. Omaha hi-lo has qualifying rules for low hands. Check each game's rules before you sit.
Caveats
There are limits to what we know. Pokerfuse describes the timing as "as soon as September or October," not a confirmed date, and it is possible the launch will slip. The article also does not state which US states will get the games first. State-by-state availability is a common feature of the regulated US market, because each state regulator and its licensed platforms operate independently. Our US poker page tracks where regulated online poker is available.
The Wider Picture: PokerStars and Flutter
The mixed-game plan sits alongside major changes at PokerStars. Flutter has been consolidating its poker brands, with Betfair the first to move onto a PokerStars Network in August 2026, and in the United States, PokerStars-branded poker now operates under the FanDuel name. The FanDuel deployment, which PokerScout says reversed a year's worth of PokerStars revenue losses in its debut month, gives the group a strong base in regulated states.
Adding mixed games would help differentiate the platform from rivals in a market where the product is otherwise similar. It also serves a demographic that many operators overlook: experienced players who value game variety and tend to stay for years.
The Bottom Line
A mixed-game launch on PokerStars on FanDuel would be a meaningful addition to the regulated US market, and 8-Game is the format to watch first. Until the operator confirms a date, treat the timeline as tentative. In the meantime, sharpen your knowledge of the games you expect to see, review the rules, and build a bankroll that can absorb the variance of learning new formats.
Sources: Pokerfuse reporting on PokerStars on FanDuel mixed games and the PokerStars Network; PokerScout US poker revenue tracker.