Omaha Hi/Low: General Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi/lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha High-Low.
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