Omaha Secrets

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

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

A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complex at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an exciting array of wagering choices and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and many trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.