Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which 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 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in nearly every poker game.

A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complicated at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high, as well as many shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi lo.