Omaha Hi-Low: General Summary

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

Omaha hi/lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming collection of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.