Omaha Hi Low: Basic Overview


Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha hi lo begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

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

The lower hand is more complex, 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 made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.

While it seems complex at the outset, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of betting possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, and several battling for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi low.

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