Poker Secrets Beginner Poker Secrets

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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 is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha hi lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold 'Em, in which the board can be every player's hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player's, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It's the very same notion in almost every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free's up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don't count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there's no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing array of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous players battling for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it's worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.