Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants can get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties 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 overwhelming array of wagering options and because you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi lo.
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