Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems difficult at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an amazing assortment of wagering choices and because you have several players shooting for the high, as well as many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.