Omaha Strategy

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in just about all poker games.

A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of wagering choices and because you have many individuals trying for the high, and many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.