Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of wagering options and seeing that you have several players trying for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi low.
