Omaha Hi Low: Fundamental Overview
November 12th, 2016 at 17:25
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. 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 many players can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, along with several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.