Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on 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. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.