Poker Strategies Beginner Poker Strategies

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point 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 the point where a few players can get flustered. Unlike Hold'em, where the board can be everyone's hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone's, it doesn't matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.

The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of 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 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/lo provides an exciting array of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, and a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it's worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.