Omaha Hi/Low: Fundamental Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.