Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Overview
August 22nd, 2012 at 16:21
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. 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 players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an exciting array of betting possibilities and seeing that you have numerous players battling for the high, along with several trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.