04
December
Written by Michelle.
Posted in: Poker
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike 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’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an amazing assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, and several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
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