Omaha Hi/Lo: Basic Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing array of wagering choices and seeing that you have many players battling for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.