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Omaha Hi Low: 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 is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha hi/low starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.

The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems complicated initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an overwhelming array of betting options and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, along with several battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.

 

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