Omaha Strategy

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players often get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can 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. It is the same approach in just about every poker game.

The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, 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 smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, along with a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.