Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi low starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
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