Omaha Hi-Lo: Fundamental Outline
Posted in Omaha on 11/24/2015 07:21 am by Fernanda
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low 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. It is the same concept in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an amazing assortment of betting options and because you have several players trying for the high, along with many shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.