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Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Summary

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two 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 hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of wagering options and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.

 

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