Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not 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 takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing assortment of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
Comments