Omaha Hi/Low: Basic Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal 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 hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous players trying for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
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