Omaha Secrets

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha Hi-Lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants often get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in nearly every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply 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 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of betting options and because you have many individuals battling for the high, and several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi low.