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Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Outline

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card 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 exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.

A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being made up of 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem difficult at first, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.