Omaha Hi-Low: General Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players trying for the high, along with many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
