Poker Tricks

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular 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 expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.

While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.