Omaha Hi/Lo July 2023

Global Omaha Hi/Lo offers you the chance to enjoy a fast-paced game that offers plenty of chances to win prizes. It’s also a nice break if you’re tired of other forms of poker. But what’s it all about? If you’re used to “real” poker, are sweeps games like this worth your time? In this review, we’ll explore Global Omaha Hi/Lo and help you decide if you should play or not.

First Impressions

Global Poker has developed a name as one of the leading online gaming platforms. That reputation is rightfully earned. The company’s games are solid, work well, feature smooth gameplay, and yield great prizes. Global Omaha Hi/Lo is no exception to that rule.

When the game loads, you’ll find the familiar poker table, complete with green felt. There are eight positions for players. Just click or tap on the “seat open” icon to claim that spot.

You’ll see the value of both blinds before you buy, and there’s a dealer chat feature on the left of the screen. When you click on the “seat open” icon, you’re presented with your balance in gold coins and the minimum amount to join the game.

Overall, the gameplay is smooth and predictable. If you’ve ever played Omaha Hi/Lo before, then Global’s version will be instantly familiar.

How to Play

Global Omaha Hi/Lo is a version of sweeps poker based on the standard rules of the game but with a few unique variations.

1. You’re dealt four hole cards.
2. The dealer lays out five community cards throughout the game.
3. You must use two of your hole cards and three of the community cards to create a winning hand.
4. You cannot use more than two of the hole cards you were originally dealt, which means if you received four of a kind in the deal, it cannot be played as such.
5. Global Omaha Hi/Lo has the chance to result in a split pot, with 50% going to the highest hand and 50% going to the player with the lowest hand. However, there may not always be a low hand that qualifies (there will always be a high hand that does). If a player has both the best high and low hand, they win the full jackpot. Note that there is some overlap between high and low cards, which is how a single hand can rank best high and low.
6. High hands follow the traditional poker format – pairs, three of a kind, straights, full house, flush, four of a kind, etc.
7. Low hands follow a different format. They include the ace, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight cards, with the worst possible hand being the eight, seven, six, five, and four cards. They must all be of different suits, too.

In addition to the high/low possibilities, Global Omaha Hi/Lo also features different buy options. For instance, no-limit games have no restrictions on your buy, meaning that you can exceed the size of the pot. On the other hand, pot-limit games allow you to increase the amount of the pot, but your buys cannot exceed the pot amount. Other variants include mixed pot and fixed-limit games.

The gameplay in Global Omaha High/Low follows the same format as other Omaha variants (and most poker games). You have the following stages:

Pre-Flop

The blinds are posted and the two players to the dealer’s left become the big blind and the small blind. Gameplay proceeds clockwise from the dealer. The first player can call the big blind, raise, or fold, with each subsequent player having the same options until everyone has had the chance to play during the round.

Flop

The dealer will place three community cards in the center of the table after everyone has had their turn. These cards are face up. Play then resumes with the closest active player to the dealer on the right.

Turn

Another community card is dealt at the end of the previous turn. The play is clockwise from the dealer.

River

This is the last phase of the game. One card is dealt face down and another is turned face up. Players make their choices. Those still standing afterward show their hands during the showdown. The best hand wins.

Tips and Tricks

• If you’re new to Omaha Hi/Lo or poker in general, we recommend starting slow and taking your time. Get familiar with what constitutes a high and low hand and how gameplay flows. That will help ensure you have the most fun while playing and that you can maximize prizes. However, remember that the real point here is to have a good time while playing one of the world’s most popular games.
• Many players find it beneficial to shoot for the low hand simply because it’s often easier to accumulate non-face cards. However, remember that not all low hands will qualify, and a single player can have both the highest and lowest hand.

Conclusion

Poker is the “Cadillac of games” and Global Omaha High/Low might just be the most interesting variation in many years. With the ability to win either the high or low hand, or both, it offers a lot of potential for enjoyment. It can also help you hone your poker skills and compete in other versions, whether you prefer something like standard Omaha, Texas Hold’em, or a stud or draw variation.

Topic expert

Natalia Atteberry

Natalia is our connection to the glamorous old-school casinos of Europe. Think cocktail dresses, roulette and stylish sportscars!