Omaha Hi Lo: Basic Summary


Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt 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. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.

A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of 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 below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complex at first, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low offers an overwhelming array of betting options and because you have numerous players battling for the high hand, and many shooting 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 participate in Omaha 8 or better.

  1. No comments yet.

You must be logged in to post a comment.