Omaha Hi Low: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at first, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and several battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.