Omaha Hi-Lo: Basic Summary

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha hi low starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.

A low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When determining 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 do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo offers an amazing collection of wagering options and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, and many trying for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.