26
March
Written by Sophia.
Posted in: Poker
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi/lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi-low provides an overwhelming collection of betting options and seeing that you have many players trying for the high hand, and several trying for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
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