Blog, Poker

Scoop!

In Omaha High-Low (AKA, Omaha 8-or-Better), a scoop is when one player wins the entire pot vs. splitting it.  It can happen in two ways: the winner has both the best high and low hands or there is no qualifying low.  There is always a high.

Let’s look at some approximate numbers. 

Before any given Omaha deal, there is over a 60% chance of a low. 

After that the chances of a low are:

2 low cards on the flop = 25% by the river

3 low cards on the flop = 40% by the river

4 low cards on the turn = 50% by the river 

Now, win the high to scoop!

Note: Omaha is a relatively new game, first played in Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget in 1982.  I grew up playing seven card stud high-low.  Back then, a perfect low was A-2-3-4-6 (non-suited).  Someone figured out it would make a more interesting game if a wheel (A-2-3-4-5 either suited or not) could qualify for a low hand. 

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