Omaha Hi/Lo: General Summary

by Emelia on December 31st, 2017

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems complicated at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people betting 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 amazing array of wagering options and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high, along with many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.

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