Omaha Hi/Low: General Outline
Monday, 17. February 2020
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/lo begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out 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. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many players shooting for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.
Posted in Poker by Natasha