Poker » Blog Archive » Omaha Hi Low: Fundamental Summary

 

Omaha Hi Low: Fundamental Summary

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

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

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players 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/lo provides an amazing array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high, along with many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.