03
January
Written by Cordell.
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 games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt 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 get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, 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 worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have several players battling for the high hand, as well as several shooting 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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