Omaha Strategy

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being 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 smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems complicated at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of betting choices and because you have several individuals battling for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi low.