Omaha Hi/Low: Basic Summary
November 17th, 2019 at 8:25
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s 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 almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an overwhelming range of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.