Omaha Hi-Lo: General Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of betting possibilities and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, and many battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.
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