Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.
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