Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in almost all poker games.

The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/low provides an exciting array of betting options and because you have many players trying for the high, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.