Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few entrants get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.

A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 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 available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming collection of wagering options and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high, along with several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.