Omaha Hi/Lo: Fundamental Overview
Posted in Omaha on 03/24/2007 08:29 pm by Dale
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same 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 do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo provides an exciting range of wagering choices and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi/lo.