Omaha Strategy

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where 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 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two 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 possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in nearly every poker game.

A low hand is more complex, but really 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 being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, and many trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.