Omaha Hi-Lo: General Summary
April 29th, 2020 at 17:25
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal 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 hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering options and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.