Omaha Hi-Low: General Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi-low provides an amazing collection of wagering options and because you have several individuals battling for the high, and a few trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.
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