Omaha Hi-Lo: General Summary


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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha hi lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where many players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out 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. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

While it seems complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi-low provides an exciting collection of wagering choices and because you have numerous players battling for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.

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