An Introduction to Omaha 8 (High-Low)
The high-low split pot version of Omaha, which we will refer to as Omaha 8, is an action junkie’s game. The format, betting structure, and requirement to use two cards from your initial four hole cards, in conjunction with three cards from the board, is all the same as Omaha high but coupled with the addition of the best high and best low hands splitting the pot. Of course scooping the entire pot is the true object of this poker game. This game seems to have polarized poker fans in so far as they either love it or have a disdain for it. I like to call those who love it Omaholics and you should be careful, for if you are just getting started in this addictive form of poker, you may well join their ranks.
The Basic Rules of Omaha 8
We outlined in the Omaha high section that one major difference between Omaha and hold’em was the number of potential hands vying for the pot. In Omaha 8 that number remains constant as each hand still has six possibilities but now some of them are vying for the low end and others for the high. What this translates to is an action packed game with numerous bets and raises and large pots. Of course, unless someone scoops the pot it will be split. There are two ways to scoop the entire pot. The first is to have both the best high and low hands. The other way is to possess the best high hand when no hand qualifies for the low. In order to qualify for the low hand one must have five unpaired cards, no higher than an eight (the Ace is both high and low). Let’s explain with an example:
| Your hole cards: | The board (flop, turn, and river): |
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In this example there would be no low hand since the board doesn’t contain three cards that are eight or below. Therefore the pot will not be split and only the high hand will win (the nuts being someone holding JQ for the straight). Let’s look at another example with a board that qualifies both a high and low hand:
| Your hole cards: | The board (flop, turn, and river): |
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In the above example the board contains three card no higher than an eight (873). If we look at your hole cards then you have a monster – the nut high (K
J for the flush) and the nut low (A
2 for A2378). Happy days! In this example you would probably scoop the pot.
Low hands that are straights and flushes do not disqualify it from being low but, in fact, make it a two way hand and a candidate to scoop. While a Royal flush and a five high straight, called a wheel, would represent the best high and best low hands, the hand you really want at the showdown is a five high straight flush to scoop the pot with the best high and low hands.
Starting Hands in Omaha 8
Let’s take a look at three groups of starting hands to begin to assess what represents real powerhouse starting hands, good starting hands and hands that are playable but where some degree of caution should be exercised. Unfortunately, one can’t expect to be dealt a power house hand on every deal.
Powerhouse Starting Hands:
This is my favourite starting hand in Omaha 8 since it gives top pair, two nut flush draws and a great draw to the nut low including counterfeit protection. Counterfeit protection means that if an Ace, two or three hits the board you still have the two best low cards to put with it. As an example, if the final board was K25Q4 your deuce would have been counterfeited but you would still have the nut low (using one of your Aces and the three) as well as a straight. If three of the cards were either clubs or spades, you would have the nut flush for high with the wheel (five high straight) for low. This would be a very good holding hoping to scoop the entire pot. If one other player held the nut low as well but your high hand was the winner, you would win three quarters of the pot made up of the high half and half of the low half.
While this hand offers no low possibility, since you must use two cards from your hand, it does offer two nut flushes, straight possibilities with two different high pairs which could make sets and then, if the board pairs, very good full houses. This is the type of hand where you hope that no one qualifies for low and you can scoop the pot with just a winning high hand.
Here you have four low cards offering double counterfeit protection coupled with straight draws and the nut flush draw – a very good start. Having the three and four suited does not add value as a four high flush with three of that suit on the board is really a liability not an asset.
Good Starting Hands:
There is no possibility of a low hand so you would definitely like to see all high cards on the flop including a ten. There are also two flush draws, one to the nut and the other to the second nut. This is the kind of hand that, if no or only one low card flops you need to raise and re-raise to make it very expensive for low hands to chase in order to qualify. The object here is to scoop a one way pot for high.
This hand offers the opportunity of a nut flush, nut low and straight draws. With a pair you can also flop a set or even quads. Counterfeit protection is part of its upside as well. This is a good hand that is not quite a powerhouse.
While you usually want an Ace in your hand this hand represents very good counterfeit protection. Obviously, you would like to see an Ace and two small cards hit the flop which would give you a nut low. The straight draws enhance the value of this start. You’ll notice this isn’t double suited since getting a four or five high flush is really of no value. This hand’s value is in straights and lows with counterfeit protection.
Playable with Some Caution, Starting Hands:
This is an example of a playable hand where caution should be exercised. While there are two flush draws and a myriad of straight draws they are all somewhat problematic. In an action game like Omaha 8 where there is frequent raising, it can be very expensive to wind up with a second best hand for high or low.
This hand is a far cry from the two pair hand of A-A-K-K which was highlighted in the powerhouse section. While it looks good, including the straight possibilities and Jack high flush draw, caution is recommended.
Here is another hand that on the surface looks pretty good with draws to both a King and Queen high flush, straight draws and two good low cards. While the winning hand can certainly be made with this start, the hand can also lead to trouble with a capital “T”. This hand exemplifies just how important an Ace in your starting hand really is. You cannot make a nut flush or a nut straight or a nut low unless an Ace comes on the board.
I’ve offered up three examples in each of the three categories to highlight what I believe represent the powerhouses, just good, as well as playable, with caution, starting hands. Obviously this is not meant to be a complete listing but to give the reader a sense of the upsides and downsides of Omaha 8 starting hands. As with all forms of poker, your starting hand values need to be viewed in concert with your position, the texture of the game, your opponents’ playing styles, as well as your own style and the degree of risk you enjoy.
Now that we’ve sampled how Omaha 8 works, along with the objective of scooping both the high and the low parts of the pot, let’s explore some strategies that we may employ to help us stay out of trouble and achieve our objective. See you in the next chapter where we’ll discuss some key strategies intended to help you deal with even the most fanatical of Omaholics.
Next Lesson: Omaha High-Low Strategies