Poker Tips

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

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

A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing range of betting possibilities and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.