Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complex at first, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering choices and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
