Online Omaha Hi Lo Tips

Omaha Hi-Lo is the second most popular variant of poker games in the world. As Texas holdem continues to soar in popularity, Omaha is picking up the players who are looking for something different. This trend figures to continue into the future.

Rules of Omaha Hi-Lo

Omaha is similar to texas holdem in that it is a community game with five communal cards. Except, in Omaha, the dealer gives four cards to each player, rather than two. Out of the four cards that the dealer deals, a player must use two cards in their hand, and three of the communal cards. The betting rounds of Omaha are the same as holdem. There are still four betting rounds, including the pre-flop, flop, turn and river. Showdowns in Omaha consist of typically strong hands, due to the two extra cards involved.

In this game, players try to make two different hands within one game. Players go for a high five-card hand, and a low five-card hand, and the pot is divided into two, with the highest hand claiming half, and the lowest hand claiming half the pot.

Tips in Omaha Hi-Lo

1. Play to win both the high and low hands. The pot odds on a split are not good, especially if you're playing for only the low. After the flop, if you have no chance at the high hand, play it super slow, and don't invest too much time or money.

2. Raises will often not deter players from folding, so, if possible, slow play your hands.

3. Watch out for flops and turn cards with straight draws. If you see 5 6 7 somewhere on the board, this could easily lead to a hand that could knock out your high trips.

4. Don't over bet nut lows like A2 or A3. Often, low pots are shared and the pot odds don't add up if you can't win the high hand. The last thing you want to do is split the low hand pot with more than one player.

5. Keep your eyes on your opponents. Do this especially if they are not playing many hands.

6. Allow yourself to get caught in a bluff. This could work out to your advantage down the line.

7. Keep a very close eye on your cards. Since you are playing for both the high and low hand, you need to be concentrating on two hands, not just one.