Omaha Strategy

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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 variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha hi lo starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. 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 higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems complex at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high hand, and several trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.