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 favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of entrants can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might 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 every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.

Although it seems complicated initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an exciting array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, and many 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/low.