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Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Summary

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just 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, etc. It’s the same notion in almost all poker games.

A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complicated at first, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting 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 provides an exciting array of betting options and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi lo.

Posted in Poker.


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