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Omaha Hi-Low: Fundamental Outline

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low 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, etc. It is the same notion in nearly all poker games.

A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being 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 five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.

While it seems complicated initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting array of wagering choices and because you have many players trying for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.