09.13
Omaha Hi/Lo: Basic Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.