Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha hi-low begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in almost all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.

While it seems difficult at the start, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an amazing assortment of betting options and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high, as well as a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi lo.