Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike 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’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, 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 could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming assortment of betting possibilities and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.