03.10
Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Overview
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha High-Low offers an overwhelming assortment of betting options and because you have many players shooting for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.