Omaha

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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 normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha hi lo begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

Although it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of wagering choices and because you have several players battling for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.