Omaha Hi-Lo: Fundamental Outline
Posted in Omaha on 12/31/2015 08:21 pm by Fernanda
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly 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’s the same approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. 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 value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha High-Low offers an amazing assortment of betting options and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and many battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.