Omaha Strategies

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

It may seem complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have players 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 offers an amazing array of betting choices and because you have many individuals shooting for the high, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.