Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex at first, following a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have several players battling for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.
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