Omaha Hi-Low: General Summary
Posted in Omaha on 07/04/2016 08:38 am by Luna
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No 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 exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting assortment of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.