Omaha

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

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

Omaha hi/low begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

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

A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have many players trying for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.