Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When determining 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. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, along with several trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
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