Omaha Hi-Low: Basic Overview

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards on 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 "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems complicated at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high, and several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.