Omaha Strategies

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly 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 don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems complicated initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.