Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of 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 lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

Although it seems complex at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.