Poker Strategy

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players often get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No 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 how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in just about every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an exciting assortment of betting options and seeing that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.