Omaha Hi-Low: Basic Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, and many trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
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