Omaha Hi/Low: Fundamental Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of wagering choices and because you have many players trying for the high, along with many trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
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