Omaha Hi Low: Fundamental Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha High-Low provides an overwhelming assortment of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.