Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It is 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 variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some players can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 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 "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complex at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering 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 options and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.