Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi/low begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. 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 being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
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