Omaha Hi Low: Basic Summary
Posted in Omaha on 04/11/2016 06:21 am by Fernanda
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s 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 invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low 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 presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, and a few trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.