Omaha Strategy

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

Omaha hi low begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value 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 lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems complicated at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.