Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.

A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being 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 eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

It may seem difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering 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 offers an amazing range of betting possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.