Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi-low offers an amazing assortment of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
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