Omaha Hi-Low: General Overview
Posted in Omaha on 02/24/2019 10:25 pm by Ayden
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi-low begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest 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 lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of wagering possibilities and because you have many players trying for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.