Omaha Hi-Low: Basic Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an amazing assortment of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many players trying for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
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