Poker Tips

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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 well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in just about all poker games.

A lower 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 weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming collection of betting options and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.