Omaha Hi/Low: Basic Summary

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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’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.

A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complicated at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.