Omaha Hi-Lo: Fundamental Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem difficult initially, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.