Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
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