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How to Play Online Omaha Hi-Lo Poker

Without a doubt, Texas Hold'em Poker is the most popular poker game in the world. The game became famous in 2003 when amateur poker player Chris Moneymaker shocked the world by winning the World Series of Poker Main Event. Moneymaker, that's quite a name for a poker player.

As online poker took hold shortly after that, Hold'em Poker continued to grow in popularity. Eventually, it stepped to the forefront, replacing 7-Card Stud as the go-to poker option for home care games.

It might surprise you to learn that another poker game is quite popular worldwide, especially for the pros looking to play something a little different. That other popular poker alternative is a game called "Omaha Hi-Lo." For those of you who would like to try something a little different in your online poker rooms, let's take a quick look at how Omada Hi-Lo is played and some of the nuances of the game.

What is Omaha Hi-Lo Poker?

Omaha PokerThe game of Ohaha Hi-LO Poker is similar to Texas Hold'em with two significant differences. In Texas Hold'em, players are dealt two (2) face-down cards with five (5) community cards dealt in the middle. In Omaha Hi-Lo, players are dealt four (4) cards face-down with five (5) community cards dealt in the middle. That's the first significant difference.

The second significant difference is only the high hand gets paid in Texas Hold-em. In Omaha Hi-Lo two hands get paid, the high hand and the low hand. That's why they call this a "split-hand" game. To be clear, one player can win both the high and the low hands. That is referred to as a scoop.

What makes this game fun and interesting is the focus on two hands creates the need for more strategic play. Also, it is quite common to see five or more players stay in until at least the flop. This happens with frequency because you have some players staying for a shot at the high hand and still others staying for a shot at the low hand. Some players stay in with a chance to claim. both.

How to Play Omaha Hi-Lo Poker

The playing sequence for Omaha Hi-Lo follows that of Texas Hold'em.

The ante is handled as blind. The player that sits directly to the left has to ante up the small blind while the player two spots to the dealer's left has to put in the big blind.

After all four (4) face-down cards have been dealt, the betting begins. After the conclusion of the first round of betting, the flop (3 cards) is dealt to the community. Betting ensues after the flop. After the conclusion of the second round of betting, the turn card (1 card) is dealt. Betting ensues yet again. After the conclusion of the third round of betting, the final card, called the river (1 card) is dealt and the final round of betting ensues.

The final tallies are created by counting two (2) cards from the player's hand and five (5) community cards, using the best five to derive the final hand. The high-hand winner is determined by standard poker rules.

What makes the wagering interesting is player don't know if their opponents are targeting the high hand or the low hand. That's the reason so many players will stay in until the end.

It's noteworthy that Omaha Ji-Ko Eight or Omaha 8 is the most popular variation of the Omaha family. This variation comes with a twist. For there to be a payout for the lowest hand, the 8 has to be the highest card in a player's hand. That means the highest allowable hand to win the Lo pot would be 8-7-6-5-4. Note: The low hand does not count 5-card straights. It's simply a matter of who has the lowest numerical hand. As you might have guessed, the best possible Lo hand would be 5-4-3-2-A. If there is no qualifying low hand, the entire pot goes to the high-hand winner.

Other rules to consider include:

  • If there is an odd number of chips after the split, the odd chip goes to the high-hand winner

  • Players can win both hands with the same 5 cards or a different 5 cards

  • Ay no time does a player have to mention which part of the pot they are trying to win

  • The game can be played with or without betting limits

Game-Playing Nuances

Strategy is doubly important when playing Omaha Hi-Lo because there are two opportunities to win each hand. With that in mind, I thought it would be prudent to rattle off a few tips at each juncture of the game. Hopefully, this advice will tide you over until you develop a feel for playing the game.

Tips after the pre-flop cards are dealt:

- Plan on staying and participating in 1/3 of the hands at this point

- Only target the low hand payout if you have an A-2, A-3, or 2-3 combination to start

- Don't play any hand if you have a 7, 8, or 9. There is bad value in both hi & lo targeted hands

- Raising in an early position is not a good idea with so many players staying in to see the flo

Tips after the flop card has been dealt:

- If you land a good flop in either direction, bet aggressively to build pots and force out weaker hands

- Fold post-flop hands if you don't have a strong hi or lo hand. Bluffing is tough in Omaha Hi-Lo because you don't know which pot the other players are targeting

- Aggressively play any hand where it looks like you have a chance to scoop the entire hand

Tips after the turn & river cards have been dealt:

- If you can't realistically land a nut hand, it's time to fold

- Again, you don't want to be bluffing with much frequency because more players will be staying in until the end

- Only play marginal hands if you are playing in one of the last two betting positions

- Bluffs after the river might work if there’s no obvious low hand on the board. It's an indication everyone is probably playing for the high hand and a possible scoop

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

- Calling all the way to the end with no chance for a scoop

- Staying in action too often pre-flop

- Seeing too many flops with dreaded middle cards 6-9 in your hand

- Raising A-2 & A-3 in early position. It often scares away too many marginal hands

- Staying in while targeting the low hand when the flop comes with three cards over a 10

- Conversely, staying in while targeting the high hand when the flop reveals two low cards

Conclusion

There you have it. The above information should serve as a rough guide on how to play Omaha Hi-Lo. If you are interested in giving this poker version a go, I would suggest going online and finding some low-stakes games in which to play. You'll be amazed at how difficult it is to learn how to target low hands. However, you'll learn over time and might come to realize that Omaha Hi-Lo is the perfect diversion from Texas Hold'em.



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