Omaha Hi Low: Basic Summary


Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha hi/lo starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems difficult initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing array of wagering options and because you have numerous players battling for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi/low.

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