Omaha Hi/Low: General Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just 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 is the identical approach in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high, along with a few trying for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.