Omaha Hi-Low: Basic Overview


Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 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 two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complicated at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing collection of betting choices and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with several battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.

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