Omaha Hi/Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and because you have many players battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi/low.