Omaha Hi Lo: Basic Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complicated initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.