Omaha Hi Lo: Fundamental Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complicated at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous players trying for the high, and several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha High-Low.
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