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Omaha 8b Rules: Overview
The formats for regular Omaha and the Hi/Lo variation are very similar, but the premise for Omaha Hi / Lo is different in that there are two winning hands for each game: the strongest (highest) hand, and the weakest (lowest) hand split the pot. The hi / lo variations of any poker game involve much more strategical thought than their regular counterparts, but, like any variation of poker, it is easily picked up (but takes the best part of a lifetime to master).
For a hand to qualify as a low hand, it must not contain any card higher than an 8. The best possible low hand is A,2,3,4,5 suited: this hand will under normal circumstances scoop the 'high' half of the pot, and will always take the 'low' half. The next best low hand is the same hand unsuited, for which similar comments apply. Other good low hands include A, 2, 4, 5, 6; 2,3,4,5,6 and so on. The low hand does not have to 'make a hand,' as it were, it just has to contain the lowest five cards made by all the players at the table. If no hands 'qualify' as a low hand (i.e. all hands contain a card higher than an 8), the highest hand will take the whole pot. The 40 best lowball hands can be found on our Razz Rules page.
Fixed Limit: In a Fixed Limit game, both the bet and raise amounts for each round are a preset amount. For example, in a $5/$10 Fixed game, both the bets and raises for the first two rounds of betting must be $5, no more, no less. The last two rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.
Pot Limit: In a Pot Limit game, the maximum bet/raise can't be more than the current pot amount. So, if the pot is $30, you can't bet more than $30. One thing to note: If you are raising on a player's bet, your call is already included in the pot. So, for example, let's say the pot is $100. Player X opens the betting with $100. Your maximum bet is now $300 (Pot = Initial $100 + Player X's $100 + your $100)
No Limit: The final game type is No Limit. The name says it all: There are no maximum bet limits. You can bet as much as you like during any round of betting. The minimum bet is the big-blind amount. No-Limit Hold'em makes for big pots, fast action and great watching. Now that you've chosen a game type, it's time to talk about the other key betting concepts: the Stakes, the Blinds and the Cap.
The Stakes: The stakes are tied directly to the game type you select. For a Fixed Limit game, the stakes dictate the bet and raise amount for each round. Let's use our $5/$10 stakes example again. In the first two rounds of betting, both the bet and the raise must be $5, no more, no less. The last 2 rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.
The Cap: In Fixed Limit games, each round of betting can consist of one bet and has a maximum number of three allowable raises, known as the cap. So, if a bet is made, that bet can only be raised three times, after which all players must call or fold. However, if only two players remain in the hand, the cap is increased to a maximum of five raises.
In both Pot Limit and No Limit, the stakes represent the amounts posted as the blinds.
The Blinds: The blinds are mandatory bets posted by two players at the start of each hand, prior to the cards being dealt. The player directly to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, which in a Fixed Limit game is half the small stake, rounded down to the nearest dollar. In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the small blind is equal to the small stake. The player to the left of the small-blind player posts the big blind, which in a Fixed Limit game is equal to the small stake. In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the big blind is equal to the big stake.
In poker, each player in turn plays as the dealer. At the table we represent the dealer position with: the Dealer Button: The Button is a graphic symbol that represents the theoretical dealer. After each hand, the button moves clockwise to the next active player, who becomes the dealer for that hand. This player is considered to be 'on the button', and is the last person to act in the betting round. The first player to the left of the button is the first player to be dealt cards, the first player to act in each betting round and the player that posts the small blind.
Pre Flop: The dealer deals each player 4 cards face down. Only the player can see his/her hole cards. After the deal, the next player after the big blind decides whether to call, raise or fold the big blind. Each player in turn is given these options, until all bets are called and the big blind checks. Don't forget, in a fixed limit game, any raises are limited to the lower stake amount, and in a pot limit game, the bet can't exceed the pot amount.
The Flop: Now the dealer turns over the first three community cards, called 'the flop'. All betting rounds start with the player directly to the dealer's left. For Fixed Limit games, this round of betting still uses the lower stake, using our example $5/$10 game, any bets or raises must be $5. The Pot Limit and No Limit rules don't change.
The Turn (AKA Fourth Street): The fourth community card is dealt and a new betting round begins. The bet amount for Fixed Limit games increases to the upper stake. Betting continues until all bets are called.
The River: The fifth and final community card is dealt and a new betting round begins. Once all the bets have been called, it's time to show the cards. The last player to bet or raise during the final round of betting will show his/her hand first. If all players checked through (nobody bet), the player to the left of the dealer will show first. The remaining players' hands will be automatically revealed moving clockwise, unless a hand is weaker than the winning hand shown. In this case, you'll have the option to show, or muck (fold without showing) your cards. The highest and the lowest 5 card hands split the pot. A player can use any 5 cards in their hand to win either the high or the low, or both. Remember, a winning Omaha hand must use 2 hole cards and 3 of the community cards to make the hand.
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