Omaha Hi-Low: Fundamental Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. 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 a number of players get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal 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 best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complex at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of betting possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and many trying for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
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