Omaha Hi Low: Fundamental Summary
December 31st, 2015 at 19:21
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complex at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low provides an exciting array of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with many trying for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha High-Low.