Omaha Hi/Lo: General Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly 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 put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous players trying for the high, along with many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.
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