Omaha Hi/Lo: General Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low 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 just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest 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 does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming range of betting possibilities and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
