Poker Tricks

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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi low begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems difficult initially, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have several players trying for the high, and many battling for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.