Omaha

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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’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in almost every poker game.

The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems difficult at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering choices and because you have many players battling for the high, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.