Omaha Hi-Lo: Fundamental Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point 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 where some entrants often get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low 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. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/low provides an exciting collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, and several trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
