Omaha Hi/Low: General Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point 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 get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in almost all poker games.
The 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 might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not 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 lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.
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