Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where 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 regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting collection of wagering options and seeing that you have many players trying for the high, and a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.