Omaha

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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 action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi/low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players often get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in nearly all poker games.

A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t 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 smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of play easily enough. Since 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 provides an amazing collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.