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Omaha Hi Lo: Fundamental Overview

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some players can get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.

The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.

Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting array of wagering choices and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.

Posted in Poker.


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