Omaha Hi Lo: Basic Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly 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 lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of betting possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and several battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.