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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals trying for the high, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.