Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
