Omaha Hi Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could 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, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, 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 can be made, with the worst being made up of 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, along with many trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.