05.12
Omaha Hi-Lo: Fundamental Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower 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, etc. It is the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated at first, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an exciting range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.