Omaha Hi-Lo Poker Hand Rule
Omaha hi-lo poker is fast becoming a favorite split-pot poker worldwide. The game is a bit similar with Texas Holdem except for the "hole cards only" rule of Omaha hi-lo poker and other hand rules. Here is a summary.
Omaha poker games, especially Omaha hi-lo poker, is strict with its basic requirement on hole cards. Each player is dealt 4 hole cards in the beginning. The playable hand here is any two cards among the 4 cards dealt us. It cannot be 3 or all the 4 cards. We have to use only 2 hole cards for our starting hand in Omaha hi-lo poker.
A somewhat similar hand rule is also observed with the board cards. Initially, the board cards number 3 at post flop and 5 by the time the game reaches river play. Among the 5 cards we are allowed only 3 cards to supplement our 2 hole cards. Thus the winning combination total 5 cards - 2 hole cards and 3 board cards. Omaha hi-lo poker is specific abut this.
In some Omaha hi-lo poker games, beginners often commit the error of using 3 hole cards and 3 bard cards, or 4 hole cards and 1 board card. All the time the game is played beginners would think they have formed a formidable winning hand only to be dismayed to learn later that they have considered the wrong choice of hole and board cards in their winning hand. Always remember that only two hole cards should be used and 3 board cards in Omaha hi-lo poker.
There's also the high and low hand rule to determine pot winnings in a game. A low hand should have cards 8 or lower to win the low winnings of the pot. If there is no low hand eligible for the low winnings the high hand winner takes the whole pot in Omaha hi-lo poker. Thus, among the primary objects of the game is to rake in the whole pot for oneself instead of having it split with someone else.
Hence, also in Omaha hi-lo poker we have to know, not only how to win the high hand but also the strategies on how to win the low hand. And all this has lots to do with an effective starting hand in the game.
Omaha hi-lo poker is a game that has rigid rules on starting hand requirements and has the pot possibly shared by two winners - the high and low winners. The main objective remains to be taking the whole pot for ourselves.