Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Outline


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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems complicated initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several players shooting for the high hand, along with several trying for the low hand. If you like 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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