Omaha Hi Low: General Outline
Posted in Omaha on 10/24/2015 06:21 pm by Ayden
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. 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 players get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting collection of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, along with several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.