Omaha Hi/Low: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi/lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which 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 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several players trying for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi low.