Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal 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 strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t 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 lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, along with several battling for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi low.
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
You must be logged in to post a comment.