Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many players often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting array of wagering possibilities and because you have several players battling for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.
Comments