Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of betting options and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with 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 play Omaha 8 or better.
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