Poker Secrets

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost all poker games.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.

While it seems complicated at the start, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting collection of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals battling for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.