12.18
Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering choices and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high, and many battling for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.