04.03
Omaha Hi/Low: General Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi-low starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at first, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an exciting array of betting choices and seeing that you have several players trying for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.