Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 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 best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players shooting for the high, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.
Comments