Omaha Hi/Low: Fundamental Summary
Posted in Poker on 01/12/2010 03:22 pm by Marley
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals 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 High-Low offers an overwhelming array of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as many battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi lo.