Omaha Hi Low: Fundamental Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi low starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.