Omaha Hi-Low: Fundamental Outline

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in nearly every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult at the start, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low offers an overwhelming range of wagering choices and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi/lo.