Omaha Hi/Low: Basic Outline
Posted in Poker on 09/30/2017 08:25 pm by Izaiah
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants 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 number of entrants often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of betting options and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, along with many trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/lo.