Omaha Hi/Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of betting options and because you have several individuals trying for the high, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
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