28
June
Written by Sophia.
Posted in: Poker
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi/low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers 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 many players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.
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