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Omaha Hi-Lo: Fundamental Overview

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

Omaha hi low begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might 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 lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

It may seem complicated at first, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of betting options and because you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few trying for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.