Omaha Hi-Low: Basic Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/lo provides an amazing collection of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha High-Low.