Poker Tricks

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is 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 game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost every poker game.

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

It may seem complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people 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 array of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling 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 play Omaha 8 or better.