Omaha Strategy

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

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in just about all poker games.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo provides an overwhelming collection of wagering options and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.