OMAHA HI/LO POKER

Omaha poker is another popular poker game. Somewhat similar to hold’em, Omaha poker has 4 cards instead of 2. Omaha hi/lo is better version of Omaha hi.

You will need…

The game is played using the 52-card standard deck.  Can be played by 2 to 10 players.

How to deal?

The dealer distributes four cards (face down). 5 cards are revealed to the player and are kept at the center of the table (also called community cards). The pot is divided into high pot and low pot. The low pot is considered as a qualifying pot to win high pot or even to play for high pot.

How to play?

Now the player uses combinations of best five cards (pocket and community card). Finally as usual player with upper hand wins. Sometimes, the game is over when there is a betting such that it leads other players to give up. You must make your hand with two cards that have been initially (face down) given to you, and three should be picked up from the community card to make the best hand.  There are two qualifying hands for high pot and low pot. For low pot ace is considered as lowest. And the best sequence for low pot is ace, 2, 3, 4, and 5. You should at least qualify for high pot to play for pot. The betting is usual as Texas hold’em. Remember flushes and straights also counts for low pot. You are allowed to use same (as low pot) or different cards while playing for high pot.

And the winner is…

The winner for the low pot is one with the lowest hand. And winner for the high pot is the one who has the highest hand. If you are lucky enough to win both then you are a true winner of the whole pot.

Tactics of winning…

• Remember two tiles are from your hand and three of them are community. So you should be very careful while betting, as other players know your 3 tiles.
• The final card is often decides the game.
• You should not bluff in a game like Omaha.
• You can only master this game when you practice.
• The best way you can play Omaha is by keeping cool and getting your math correct.
• It is very essential to focus on winning both the pots instead of concentrating on one.