Omaha Hi-Lo: General Overview

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.

It may seem complicated at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of betting choices and because you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.

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