Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, 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 lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/low offers an amazing array of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi-low.
Comments