Omaha Hi-Low: General Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s 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 grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi low begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal 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 every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value 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 8 and smaller. 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 whole pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/lo offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as several battling 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.