Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. 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 invisible game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi/low starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of wagering choices and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.
This entry was posted on November 29, 2019, 8:25 pm and is filed under Omaha. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.