Omaha Hi Lo: Fundamental Outline
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins 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 drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could 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 worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/low provides an amazing array of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, and a few battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha High-Low.