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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex at first, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering choices and because you have several players trying for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi low.
