Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.