Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where many players often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in nearly every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, 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 worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated at the outset, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, and several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.