Omaha

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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 game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.

A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.

It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting collection of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.