Best omaha hi lo poker site Whereas an online best omaha hi lo poker site casino provides a virtual experience live roulette is more akin to playing table games in a bricks and mortar casino. The caller (teacher, RA, mentor) will call out a vocabulary word from the sheet provided (see attachment below) and then will read the description that follows the word. This is free version of well known Omaha Hi/Lo Poker. Owing to its frequently large pots, Omaha Hi/Lo (also called 'Omaha High Low', 'Omaha H/L', 'Omaha/8' or 'Omaha 8-or-better') has become a hugely popular game around the world. Some people think that Omaha hi lo is the game of the future.
Ed. note: The 2018 World Series of Poker is fast approaching. In order to get ready, over the next few weeks we're again sharing author Ken Lo's strategy advice for games other than no-limit hold'em.
With the World Series of Poker approaching, thousands of poker players around the world are preparing to converge at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to take their shot at fame and fortune.
If you're one of those players who dreams of taking a shot at a WSOP bracelet, but no-limit hold'em is not your best game, then you're in luck — nearly half the events on the WSOP schedule involve games other than NLHE. It truly is the World Series of Poker, not just the World Series of No-Limit Hold'em!
In fact, the WSOP is one of the few live tournament series in which players are given the opportunity to test their skills in a wide range of variants beyond NLHE, and it is the only series to offer nearly a dozen $10,000 Championship events in such disciplines.
However, if you're like most poker players today, you probably play NLHE exclusively and have yet to give learning other variants serious thought. That said, more and more no-limit hold'em players are starting to realize the value of picking up new games — benefits that go beyond increasing one's chances of taking home a bracelet.
First, the added flexibility that comes with being able to play different games can help to combat hold'em fatigue and boredom. More importantly, becoming competent in other forms of poker will allow you to expand your 'arsenal' of poker skills, and represents a critical component in becoming a well-rounded player.
If you envision yourself playing poker far into the future, yet you're not sure whether it's worth committing the time and energy to learning new games now, I'd encourage you to imagine what the poker landscape will be like in the next three, five, or ten years. Can you be certain that NLHE will continue to grow and be the game of choice? Are you confident that NLHE is the game where you will maintain the strongest edge over your opponents?
There really is no better time than now to start expanding your repertoire. By making the effort to learn new variants, you will not only be taking a big step toward becoming a more versatile player, but you will also be making an important long-term investment in your poker career.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be discussing some of the non-NLHE variants featured on the WSOP schedule. If a game piques your interest, think about taking some time to explore it further. Who knows — you just might find a new game to love!
Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Split (Eight-or-Better)
Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight-or-Better, often referred to simply as Omaha Hi-Lo or 'O-8' (pronounced oh-eight) for short, is likely the most popular variant in live play behind NLHE and pot-limit Omaha.
Omaha Hi-Lo is also played in most multi-variant events, such as H.O.R.S.E. and other mixed-game format, and it's additionally an option in the Dealer's Choice events. It's also played in conjunction with Stud Hi-Lo Eight-or-Better (the 'Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo' event).
The object of Omaha Hi-Lo is to make the highest five-card high hand, the lowest qualifying five-card low hand, or both. The can play both as a high card and as a low card (e.g. as '1').
Omaha Hi-Lo is a 'split-pot' game, meaning that two or more players holding different hands can each win a portion of the pot. When the pot is split, half the pot is awarded to the best HIGH hand, while the other half is awarded to the best qualifying LOW hand. A qualifying low hand is one consisting of five different low cards ranked eight or lower. In the event no player can make a qualifying low hand, the best high hand will win the entire pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo bears some resemblance to hold'em and pot-limit Omaha in that it is also a community card game where players are dealt a number of hole cards, and the board will contain a flop, turn, and river. Also, like PLO, each player is dealt four hole cards instead of two, and you must use exactly two hole cards when constructing a five-card hand.
For example, if the board is , and you hold , you will be able to make the following hands:
- For the high hand: the and in your hand play, going with the from the board to form a straight. Note you do not have a club flush — even though there are five clubs between the cards on the board and those in your hand, you cannot form a flush using EXACTLY two cards from your hand and EXACTLY three cards from the board.
- For the low hand: the and in your hand play, going with the from the board to make a 6-high hand (6-5-4-3-A). The pairings or from your hand will not play when constructing the low hand, as they would both result in a worse 7-high hand compared to the lower-ranking 6-high hand that can be made by playing .
Hand Rankings
Standard poker hand rankings are used for the high hand. With respect to the low hand, recall that you are trying to make the lowest-ranked low hand; therefore, a five-card 8-high hand will be beaten by any 7-high (or lower-ranked) hand; a 7-high hand will be beaten by any 6-high (or lower-ranked) hand; and any 6-high hand will be beaten by a 5-high hand. A 5-high hand is the best low hand, and is commonly known as a wheel.
- — 5-high hand = a wheel = the 'nut' low hand
It is important to remember that with respect to low hands, Omaha Hi-Lo employs a qualifier: only 8-high or lower-ranked hands constitute qualifying low hands (this is why the name of the game includes the phrase 'Eight-or-Better').
Reading low hands in Omaha Hi-Lo can be challenging for newcomers. To facilitate the reading of low hands, consider ordering the five cards used to form the hand — that is, the two hole cards and three community cards used — from highest rank to lowest. Then think of the sequence of ranks forming a five-digit number: the lower the number, the better the low hand.
Example:
- = 86,432
- = 75,321
Since 75,321 is the lower number, is the better low hand (7-5-3-2-A).
Example:
- = 75,432
- = 76,321
Since 75,432 is the lower number, is the better low hand (7-5-4-3-2), despite the fact the other hand contains the , which is the lowest-ranked individual card.
This is why cards should be ordered from highest to lowest, to ensure the hand is read correctly. In this latter example, it is the second-highest card that breaks the tie, and since the five has a lower rank than a six, the hand headed by '7-5' will beat the hand headed by '7-6' for the low hand portion of the pot.
Play of the Hand
In Omaha Hi-Lo, there are four betting rounds, similar to NLHE. However, unlike NLHE and PLO, the amount that can be bet or raised on each betting round is fixed in the limit version of Omaha Hi-Lo. This means there is a 'low limit' bet associated with the first two betting rounds (preflop and flop), and a 'high limit' bet associated with the last two (turn and river).
For example, in a game with limits identified as '100/200' all bets in the first two betting rounds must be in increments of 100 (i.e., bet 100, raise to 200, reraise to 300, and so on), and all bets in the last two betting rounds must be in increments of 200 (i.e., bet 200, raise to 400, reraise to 600, and so on).
Basic Strategy Tips for Omaha Hi-Lo
1. Since everyone has been dealt four hole cards instead of two, players will generally be able to make stronger hands relative to NLHE.
In Omaha variants, since each player is dealt four hole cards, six different two-card combinations can be formed with each starting hand. When there are multiple players contesting the pot, the chances at least one player will hold some combination of cards that will connect very strongly with any given board is high.
Be particularly careful when holding a mere overpair, or when holding similar hands that have not connected strongly with the flop, particularly in multi-way situations.
For example, on a coordinated flop of an overpair is much less likely to be good facing two or three opponents in an Omaha variant than it would be in NLHE. This is especially the case since many players will be playing starting hands concentrated in low cards. In particular, you should fully expect that at least one opponent in a multi-way pot might hold the highly coveted holding for a flopped straight along with the nut low hand, possibly along with the nut flush draw.
2. A starting hand containing is valuable for its potential to make nut low hands, but the hand can still be marginal if it lacks other helpful supporting cards.
If a flop contains two or three qualifying low cards other than an or a , a hand containing will always provide the best low hand or draw.
For example, on a board of , any player holding will have the best possible low hand (8-7-4-2-A). Note that 8-7-4-2-A is better than 8-7-4-3-A (made with ), 8-7-4-3-2 (made with ), or 8-7-5-4-A (made with ), as examples.
Therefore, while low holdings such as , , , and the like may look decent at first glance, they often contribute to second-best or worse low hands in multi-way pots.
Even and can be troublesome since they can be dominated by the holding for the low hand, but a starting hand containing or may have greater playability if the hand also provides for some flexibility with respect to the high hand (e.g., when the ace is paired, suited, or accompanied by a face card).
However, despite the star potential of the holding, when the board happens to contain an ace or deuce and a low hand or draw is possible, the value of the hand decreases significantly. Hands that would otherwise have been mediocre for the low hand portion of the pot can be elevated in status.
For example, if you hold and the flop happens to contain an ace such as , the player holding (to make a low hand of 7-5-3-2-A) will now hold the best possible low hand thus far. And, depending on the other cards in your hand and the number of opponents involved, you could be left with a mere pair of aces and a tenuous holding for the high hand at best.
Since the appearance of an ace or a deuce on the board can adversely affect the ability of an holding to make strong low hands, a backup low card, such as a trey or a four, to go along with an holding, is extremely valuable. This will provide some insurance against the possibility that an ace or a deuce will appear on the board to nullify your low hand, which can be especially painful if it happens on the turn or river after you thought you had the low hand portion of the pot locked up on the flop (when that happens, your low hand is said to be 'counterfeited').
3. Tight play will generally be rewarded in pots that can be expected to be contested multi-way. However, adjustments will usually be warranted when play is short-handed, or in potential steal situations.
Holdings that include at least one and a and in which all four cards work together to make multiple, strong two-card combinations (that might be playable to make very strong low or high hands), represent excellent starting hands. However, there are certainly situations where loosening starting hand requirements will be justified.
For example, in short-handed matches, or in steal situations, you can expect opponents to hold strong starting hands less often. Therefore, second-to-nut and third-to-nut hands — whether for the low or high hand — are more likely to be sufficient to win at showdown.
Furthermore, in heads-up situations, when you manage to make a decent hand for both halves of a pot that is likely to be split, it will be rare for your opponent to hold the perfect combination of hole cards that will allow him or her to win the entire pot.
Starting hands containing , , and even become more playable in these situations, as they can make hands low enough to win the low hand portion of the pot, while simply pairing the ace may make a sufficiently competitive high hand. Suited aces and supporting Broadway cards can also add significant value to these starting hands.
Ken Lo is the author of A Poker Player's Guide to Mixed Games: Core Strategies for HORSE, Eight-Game, Ten-Game, and Twelve-Game Mixes, He is based in Toronto, Canada. Follow him via the book's Facebook page and on Twitter @ppgmg.
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Table Of Contents
What is Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8-or-Better Poker?
If you know how to play pot-limit Omaha (or 'Omaha high'), you are well on your way to learning how to play Omaha hi-lo.
As the name suggests, Omaha hi-lo is a 'split-pot' version of Omaha poker in which players compete for both the 'high' and 'low' halves of the pot. Omaha hi-lo is usually played with fixed-limit betting and often turns up in 'mixed game' formats like H.O.R.S.E. (in which Omaha hi-lo is the 'O') or the popular 8-game mix.
You will sometimes see the game referred to simply as 'Omaha 8' or even 'O/8' or more elaborately as 'Omaha hi-lo split-pot-8-or-better.' The name gets styled differently, too, as 'Omaha High-Low,' 'Omaha poker high-low' and so on.
Pot-limit and no-limit versions of Omaha hi-lo are also popular, especially online either as cash games or tournaments.
How to Play Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8-or-Better Poker
The basic rules for Omaha hi-lo are very similar to pot-limit Omaha. See 'How to Play Omaha Poker' for an overview of how to play Omaha poker, which is itself a variation on regular Texas hold'em.
Just like in pot-limit Omaha, players are dealt four cards in Omaha hi-lo and are required to use two of those four cards in combination with three community cards in order to make a five-card poker hand.
As in hold'em or pot-limit Omaha, if a player bets and everyone folds before the showdown, the player wins the pot without having to show a hand. However, if the final bet is called and there is a showdown, hands are examined to see who has the best 'high' hand and who has the best 'low' hand, with each winning one-half of the pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8-or-Better Rules
In Omaha hi-lo, the 'high' hand is determined exactly the same way as in hold'em or Omaha 'high' games (like PLO), following traditional hand rankings.
The 'low' hand requires a little more explanation, especially if you are new to split-pot games or hi-lo poker.
First of all, whatever cards you use to make your high hand, that makes no difference when making your low hand. You can use the same two cards, the other two cards, or any combination just as long as you use two cards from your four-card hand plus three of the community cards to build your five-card poker hand.
The rules of Omaha hi-lo is usually played with a 'qualifier' for the low hand, meaning all of the cards making up a low hand have to be ranked eight or lower. That's where the 'split-8-or-better' comes from, a phrase usually added to the name of the game.
A qualifying low hand consists of five unpaired cards ranked eight or lower. For the low hand, the ace is considered a low card (the lowest), while it can also serve as the highest-ranking card in high hands.
Also worth noting — if your lowest five cards make a straight or a flush, that doesn't matter in Omaha hi-lo, you've still got a low hand (if all are ranked eight or lower). In other 'lowball' games like 2-7 no-limit triple draw, flushes and straights hurt you by making your low hand higher, but in Omaha hi-lo that is not the case.
That means a hand consisting of 5-4-3-2-A would be the lowest possible hand — that is to say, the best 'low hand' in Omaha hi-lo. This hand is sometimes called a 'wheel.' The next lowest possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A. The worst low hand that qualifies as a low in Omaha hi-lo would be 8-7-6-5-4.
A good way to figure out which low hand is best is to arrange the hand from highest card to lowest card and then to think of the hand as a five-digit number, with the lowest number being the best (or lowest) hand. Thus 5-4-3-2-A (54321) is better than 6-4-3-2-A (64321), and 6-4-3-2-A is better than 6-5-3-2-A (65321) and so on.
An Example of an Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8-or-Better Poker Hand
Best Poker Site For Omaha Hi Lo
Let's say a hand of Omaha hi-lo goes to showdown with the final board reading 6♣3♠K♦Q♦.
You hold A♣K♠7♦4♣, and your opponent has Q♠J♦4♦2♠.
Your best possible high hand is two pair, aces and kings — using the A♣ and K♠ in your hand pairing them with the ace and king on board, with the queen being a kicker.
Your best possible low hand is 7-6-4-3-A — using the 7♦ and 4♣ in your hand along with the three low cards on the board. Note how you can't use the ace in your hand when making your low hand, since you have to use exactly two cards in your hand and three on the board (and there is an ace on the board).
Your opponent, meanwhile, has you beat both for the high and the low!
Your opponent's best possible high hand is a flush — using the two diamonds in his hand (J♦ and 4♦) and the three diamonds on the board.
Your opponent's best possible low hand is 6-4-3-2-A — using the 4♦ and the 2♠ in his hand along with the three low cards on the board. 64321 is lower than 76431, so your opponent has you beat.
Winning both halves of the pot like this is called a 'scoop' or 'scooping,' which is something you always want to try to do when playing split-pot or hi-lo poker games.
Sometimes in Omaha hi-lo there is no qualifying low hand. This is the case whenever there are less than three unpaired cards ranked eight or lower on the board.
For example, if the board is 9♣K♦A♥4♥J♠, there are only two cards ranked eight or lower on the board (the ace and four), which means it is impossible for anyone to make a low hand. When that happens, whoever has the best high hand scoops the whole pot.
Conclusion
Omaha hi-lo is not difficult to learn, especially if you already know how to play pot-limit Omaha. The strategy can be complicated, though, with a great deal of importance placed on understanding what are strong starting hands (e.g., hands containing an ace with at least one or two low cards, especially a deuce) and not making the mistake of battling for only half of the pot (just the high or low).