Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complex at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of betting options and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high hand, along with many trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.