Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card 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 how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest 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 eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complex at first, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of betting options and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, as well as many shooting for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi low.
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