Omaha Hi/Lo: General Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi low offers an exciting collection of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high, and several trying for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.
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