Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.
