Omaha Hi-Low: General Overview
March 1st, 2016 at 8:21
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining 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 made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high, along with several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.