10.04
Omaha Hi Low: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of betting possibilities and because you have many players battling for the high hand, and many battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.