20
August
Written by Abdiel.
Posted in: Poker
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need 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 often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same notion in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of wagering options and because you have several players battling for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi-low.
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