Omaha Secrets

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

Omaha hi low begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every 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. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in almost all poker games.

The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out 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. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult at the start, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.