Omaha

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complex at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.