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Omaha Hi Lo: Basic Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. 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 worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of betting options and because you have many individuals trying for the high, as well as several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
